Introduction and Background on Zoé Robledo
Zoé Robledo, the General Director of the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), recently presented Mexico’s bid to host the World Social Security Forum (WSSF) in 2028 during an event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This international forum takes place every three years and is of great significance for Latin America.
Reception of Mexico’s Proposal
Robledo mentioned that Mexico’s proposal to host the WSSF was well-received, sparking discussions about recent advancements in Mexico’s social security system. He highlighted that this opportunity, along with the progress made under the “Fourth Transformation,” has generated considerable interest.
Economic Achievements and Social Security
Robledo emphasized several economic achievements that have directly impacted social security in Mexico. Among these are:
- A 135% real increase in the minimum wage between 2018 and 2024, raising the daily salary from $88.36 to $278 pesos without causing inflation.
- The implementation of a universal pension for individuals over 65, providing $6,200 pesos per bimester.
- The elimination of abusive subcontracting in 2021, which allowed for the migration of 3 million workers to the IMSS’s Mandatory Social Security Regime, estimated to have a $21 billion impact on the IMSS.
Expanding Coverage and Inclusion
Under the administration of Presidenta Claudia Sheinbaum, Robledo explained that there has been a strong focus on expanding social security coverage and inclusion. Key initiatives include:
- Building a new Care System with the goal of constructing 1,000 Centros de Educación y Cuidado Infantil (CECI) to accommodate 500,000 children aged 43 days to 4 years.
- Implementing the “Salud Casa por Casa” program for elderly adults, where nurses visit homes to conduct preventive health check-ups, aiming to cover 11 million households.
- Launching the “Vive Saludable, Vive Feliz” program to combat childhood obesity and overweight through weight, vision, and dental health screenings in primary schools.
Voluntary Social Security for Self-Employed Workers
Since 2023, the Social Security Law has allowed for voluntary enrollment in social security for self-employed workers. This program has already registered over a million independent workers, providing benefits to more than 800,000 individuals, including 15,000 from the United States.
Protection for Domestic Workers
Robledo also mentioned that 58,180 domestic workers have been secured under the IMSS’s five mandatory insurance policies, ensuring their protection.
Digital Platform Workers Registration
A new operational model was recently introduced in Mexico to register Digital Platform Workers with the IMSS. This requires digital platforms to register as employers and enroll employees once they surpass the minimum net income threshold. As of now, 1.3 million individuals have been registered, with 130,000 earning above the minimum wage and receiving full coverage.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the World Social Security Forum (WSSF)? The WSSF is an international event that takes place every three years, focusing on social security issues and providing a platform for countries to share experiences and best practices.
- Who is Zoé Robledo, and what is his role? Zoé Robledo is the General Director of the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), responsible for overseeing Mexico’s social security system.
- What are some recent advancements in Mexico’s social security system? Recent achievements include a significant increase in the minimum wage, implementation of universal pensions for older adults, elimination of abusive subcontracting, and expanded coverage for self-employed workers and domestic employees.
