Introduction to IMSS’s Initiative for Independent Workers
The Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) is expediting the enrollment of workers in the independent category into social security, a program initiated in 2020 that broke the rule limiting access to subordinated workers only. The IMSS aims to incorporate as many non-traditional working individuals as possible, including those from companies like Natura and Diablos Rojos de México y Diablos Rojos Basquetbol.
Current Status and Impact
As of June 2024, there are 336,239 workers registered as independents, with a potential total of 551,096 beneficiaries. The average daily wage associated with these registrations is 331.8 pesos.
Despite a reported reduction in job positions, with 139,444 jobs removed from security social registration in the second quarter of the year, the IMSS has intensified campaigns to attract more independent workers. These efforts include street vendors and digital platform workers, offering them cotization weeks, disease and maternity coverage, childcare services, work-related risk protection, and a cotization history.
IMSS Director’s Statement and Growth
During a recent collaboration agreement with Natura, IMSS Director Zoé Robledo emphasized that this inclusion is a step towards recognizing non-traditional labor modalities that have long lacked fundamental rights.
“Just as we did for domestic workers and digital platform laborers, today we advance in recognizing Natura consultants—entrepreneurial women who have contributed not only to family economies but also to the country’s development.”
The latest IMSS Institutional Report highlights significant growth in independent worker enrollment, with 57% male and 43% female workers.
Geographical and Sectorial Distribution
The entities with the highest number of independent worker registrations are: Ciudad de México, Estado de México, Nuevo León, and Jalisco, accounting for 35% of total registrations.
The prominent sectors are commerce, business services, and social services, which together make up 87% of the total registrations.
Beneficiaries and Demographics
Of the 312,314 active registrations in April, 245,723 workers had registered 423,344 family members as beneficiaries—mainly daughters and sons—totaling 669,067 beneficiaries.
The majority of independent workers aged 50 to 69 years old make up 70% of the total, with 69% being male and 72% female.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the IMSS initiative about? The IMSS is accelerating the enrollment of independent workers into social security, recognizing non-traditional labor modalities.
- How many independent workers are currently registered? As of June 2024, there are 336,239 independent workers registered.
- What is the average daily wage for these registrations? The average daily wage associated with these registrations is 331.8 pesos.
- Which sectors have the highest number of registrations? The prominent sectors are commerce, business services, and social services.
- What demographic groups make up the majority of independent workers? The majority of independent workers are aged 50 to 69, with slight male predominance.
