A/HRC/43/3/Add.1
an increase to the budget for food security (from 0.94 per cent in 2016 to 1.49 per cent in
2019)50 and the implementation, since 2017, of the school meals programme. 51 However, that
programme only covers children enrolled in pre-primary and primary education, excluding
those under 2 years of age, who are in the “1,000-day window” (the period between
conception and 2 years old, which is crucial for preventing chronic malnutrition).
61. OHCHR documented cases of communities reporting lack of access to lands and water,
which affected their right to an adequate standard of living. These cases included lack of
access to water, sanitation, a healthy environment and adequate food, which were the result
of the impact of at least 28 projects by extractive industries. In rural areas, only 24 per cent
of communities have a water supply system complying with national minimum standards of
water quality for personal use. 52
62.
Since 2012, prolonged periods of drought and the effects of the El Niño phenomenon
have severely affected livelihoods, particularly with regard to crops, thereby exacerbating
food insecurity. 53 In 2019, drought reportedly affected 96,512 families 54 (approximately
550,000 people) in 12 departments.
63.
This situation led to increasing numbers of people migrating to urban centres in
Guatemala or attempting to emigrate, primarily to the United States. This case involved
members of two families from Camotán, who emigrated despite having won a legal case in
which the State party was ordered to take measures to address their lack of food security (case
Nos. 5662-2014, 4474-2014, 3380-2014 and 277-2015). In 2019, OHCHR continued to
provide technical assistance to the Office of the Ombudsperson and non-governmental
organizations to support the implementation of the court decision, and issued a report on
advances and remaining challenges in that regard.55
D.
Labour rights
64.
In 2019, the average monthly income was 2,260 Guatemala quetzales (approximately
$291),56 which covered approximately 60 per cent of the basic food basket and 27 per cent of
the extended basket. 57 Although women represent the majority of the population, their
monthly income was on average 12 per cent lower than for men, 58 with indigenous women
in rural areas earning even less or not receiving any remuneration for their work with their
spouses on farms.59
65.
Agriculture is considered to be one of the main economic sectors in Guatemala,
contributing 13.4 per cent of the national GDP in 2019.60 In total, there are about one million
day-labourers or farmhands in the country, 61 mostly indigenous, 13 per cent of whom had
social security. 62 In 2019, the average monthly income of these labourers was 1,155
Guatemala quetzales (about $150), which is only 38.6 per cent of the minimum wage. 63
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
12
icefi.org/sites/default/files/desnutricion_icefi_1.pdf (in Spanish).
For information on Decree No. 16-2017 (the law on school meals), see ww2.oj.gob.gt/es/QueEsOJ/
EstructuraOJ/UnidadesAdministrativas/CentroAnalisisDocumentacionJudicial/cds/CDs%20leyes/
2017/pdfs/decretos/D16-2017.pdf (in Spanish).
Information provided to OHCHR by the Ministry of Health and Public Assistance, Oficio 272-2019AAP/DDHH/AH, 24 October 2019.
fao.org/americas/noticias/ver/es/c/1191839 (in Spanish).
SESAN 1236-2019, Guatemala, 28 October 2018.
pdh.org.gt/presentan-informe-acerca-del-cumplimiento-de-sentencias-de-camotan-sin-horizontes-dedesarrollo-humano (in Spanish).
National Statistical Institute, National Survey on Employment and Income II-2018, p. 14. Available at
ine.gob.gt/sistema/uploads/2019/07/05/publicacion_ENEI_2_2018.pdf (in Spanish).
ine.gob.gt/sistema/uploads/2019/04/08/20190408122914Nyto5KpgXeUsKGoT4Sp
RknBumA8etDe4.pdf (in Spanish).
National Statistical Institute, National Survey on Employment and Income II-2018, p. 14.
Ibid., p. 6. In Guatemala, 9.6 per cent of “non-remunerated workers” are counted as employed.
banguat.gob.gt/cuentasnac/2T_2019_JM.pdf (in Spanish).
National Statistical Institute, National Survey on Employment and Income II-2018, p. 15.
Guatemalan Social Security Institute, Annual Report, 2018, p. 30. Available at igssgt.org.
mintrabajo.gob.gt/index.php/dgt/salario-minimo (in Spanish).
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