Paid Care Work in Mexico Dominated by Women, Earning Less Than Minimum Wage
The demand for paid care workers in Mexico is expected to rise with the creation of a National Care System, but the challenge lies in making an occupation characterized by low incomes, informality, and predominantly performed by women more attractive.
“On average, they earn 6,000 pesos per month,” states Paola Vázquez, director of the Sociedad program at the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO). “This is less than the general minimum wage set by the National Commission of Minimum Wages, which will be 8,364 pesos per month in 2025.”
Number and Distribution of Paid Care Workers in Mexico
According to the BID report, “Who Cares? Supporting and Recognizing Those Who Care for Older People in Latin America and the Caribbean,” there are an estimated 431,664 paid care workers in Mexico. Of these, 63% are domestic workers with care responsibilities, while 25% work as home-based caregivers and 12% in institutional settings.
“An increase in care demand is projected, but the challenge is to ensure that the labor supply is well-compensated,” warns Vázquez.
Informality as a Mark of Paid Care Work in Mexico
Mexico lags behind in establishing a paid care work market compared to countries like Spain, which has launched competency certification programs for those who have performed these tasks due to high demand. Fátima Masse, co-founder of Noubi Advisors, notes this delay.
An example of this lag is that caregivers work in the informal sector, with 78% of those engaged in these tasks working informally, according to INEGI data. Their work hours are also part-time, averaging 29 hours per week compared to 41 hours for other jobs. Only 6% contribute to social security.
Who are the Paid Care Workers in Mexico?
The face of paid care workers is predominantly female, making up 97% of this workforce. They have an average age of 44, with 56% having completed secondary education, as per BID data.
Paid care workers’ activities are diverse, encompassing personal and therapeutic needs such as hygiene, nutrition, wound care, exercise, communication, and medication administration.
Another challenge is preparing professional caregivers. An example is certifying individuals who were previously untrained caregivers but gained skills during the process, as mentioned by Fátima Masse.
“It would be worth considering how to accredit such experience while ensuring better working conditions, as many of these jobs tend to be informal, putting caregivers at a disadvantage,” she explains.
The UNAM offers a two-year technical career in Gerontological Care Professionals at the Faculty of Superior Studies Zaragoza in Mexico City.
Although care in the country includes childcare and people with disabilities, not just older adults, a challenge remains in understanding care comprehensively. Paola Vázquez emphasizes the need for a balanced approach, constructing care institutions alongside fostering a deep understanding of care requirements.
