Are we not allowed to get sick?

Working conditions

of Mexican workers entered into a downward spiral years ago of which there seems to be no easy way out in the short-term.

Data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) published today by this newspaper reaffirm the claim above, given they are proof that for every three people who have a job, two lack access to health services. In numbers, it means that out of the 50 million people who currently are part of the active workforce in Mexico, 32.3 million don't have access to any kind of health service .

Medical care is one of the costliest expenses for Mexican workers with an unavoidable impact on their income and consequences on their quality of life.

The data also shows other realities. First of all, that workers lack basic benefits; if they don't even have access to the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS), for instance, they will hardly receive profit sharing, vacation bonuses, or the Christmas bonus. Figures from the INEGI establish that out of 35.9 million of salary workers, over a third (13.5 million) doesn't have any benefits.

Another evidence of the harsh reality of the labor situation is that almost 16 million of paid workers in Mexico perform their jobs without a written contract . Where are the institutions that protect workers against this clear violation of the law?

One more: most of the people who have a job in Mexico belong to the informal sector of the industry. The country hasn't been able to provide formal sources of employment for the thousands of young people who every year become part of the workforce. The informal sector represents, precisely, jobs without benefits and without the corresponding payment of taxes which would help strengthen public finances.

Statistics on work conditions confirm it's not enough to create job opportunities, we need employment opportunities which can ensure social benefits established in the Law, as well as a respectable remuneration.

Over 20 million of employees in the country earn, on average, between one and two minimum wages .

Low wages and the lack of access to health services represent a combination which seems to doom the country to high poverty levels and low production rates. In short, a formula for high social risk.

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