Background on the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS)
The Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) is a Mexican government agency responsible for administering social security programs, including healthcare and pension benefits. It plays a crucial role in safeguarding the rights of millions of Mexican workers. Given its importance, any issues affecting the IMSS have significant implications for the workforce.
The Persistent Pattern of Year-End Job Cancellations and Rehiring
Since 2019, the IMSS has consistently raised concerns about a recurring pattern: workers being let go at year-end and rehired shortly after by the same employers. This phenomenon, far from being an isolated incident, has affected tens of thousands of workers annually.
Data Highlighting the Scope of the Issue
In December 2024, a staggering 405,259 workers were dismissed and subsequently rehired in January 2025, with at least 142,398 individuals involved. This figure is among the highest recorded since monitoring began.
Historical Trends and Impact
- 2019-2020: The IMSS identified 130,359 workers rehired by the same employer after being dismissed. This trend continued despite the onset of the pandemic in 2020, with 86,575 workers rehired.
- 2021-2024: The pattern persisted, with 126,256 workers rehired in 2022, 112,519 in 2023, and similar numbers in 2024. These figures confirm the ongoing issue.
Implications for Workers and Employers
The majority of year-end dismissals pertain to permanent positions, with 63% of lost jobs in late 2024 being permanent roles. This indicates that the issue extends beyond seasonal or temporary contracts.
Government Response and Warnings
In response to this pattern, the Secretaría del Trabajo y Previsión Social (STPS) and Infonavit have collaborated with the IMSS to issue annual alerts. These warnings emphasize that such practices undermine workers’ labor, social security, and housing rights.
Employers have been urged to cease these practices, as they may face legal, administrative, and financial consequences. Moreover, such actions jeopardize companies’ financial stability.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the issue? The IMSS has raised concerns about a recurring pattern where workers are dismissed at year-end and rehired shortly after by the same employers, affecting tens of thousands annually.
- Why is this a problem? This practice disrupts workers’ social security, housing savings, and job stability. It also indicates that many of these dismissals involve permanent positions.
- What have authorities done about it? The STPS, IMSS, and Infonavit have issued annual alerts and warned employers against these practices, citing potential legal and financial repercussions.
