The app delivery girls ask for social security, but with a gender perspective

As of the fourth quarter of 2023, three out of every 10 women who were mothers in Mexico were also heads of the household, according to the National Occupation and Employment Survey (ENOE) prepared by Inegi. Adriana is a single mother of three children and is in charge of caring for her father, a similar scenario to that of her colleagues.

The distribution of products through apps deliveryHe says, it is a job that allows him to generate income and balance his personal life.

“Working as a delivery girl gives me enough time to dedicate myself to my family, take my children to school, accompany them in their school activities, do housework, and keep an eye on my dad. Flexibility, at least for me, is very important, without it I would not be able to choose when I can work because sometimes I have to stop to do my activities and then reconnect to continue generating the profits I need to cover my work expenses. my family,” Adriana said.

It is not that the delivery workers are against receiving social security, on more than one occasion they have expressed the need to have these benefits and have even appreciated that the government considers this possibility. What is up for debate is the form of implementation that is based on a traditional model that they fear will take away the “flexibility” they now have.

Care tasks have historically been burdened on women. The National Survey for the Care System (ENASIC) 2022 indicates that of the total number of female caregivers, 56.3% participate in the labor market, of these 31.8% are self-employed and 67.3% opt for part-time work due to flexibility. of hours that these jobs allow for providing care.

“The results show that women support or dedicate themselves to care work in a greater proportion than men, which has an impact on the possibility of them dedicating more time to paid work, thus affecting their participation in the market.” labor,” said the National Minimum Wages Commission (Conasami).

During the last dialogue table that Distribudores Unidos México (RUM) had with the authorities of the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS), they were assured that would maintain their freedom to accept orders since the initial proposal forced them to accept anyone.

Although the above could be perceived as a positive change, Adriana highlights that no Mexican authority has given them an official document stating that these modifications will be respected.

“We don’t have anything on hand,” he mentioned in reference to the information that the STPS has provided them. “They told us that the platforms have already accepted it and that’s as far as we know.”