Informal work in delivery applications in Querétaro, Mexico. A possibility for union organization?

Abstract

Informal work in Querétaro includes sectors such as street commerce, construction, domestic work, agriculture, among others. Workers in these sectors regularly lack access to social security services and basic labor rights, which translates into low wages, flexible and precarious working conditions. This document provides a vision of the conditions of informal work in Querétaro, México and the role of unionism. It is synthesized through two perspectives, people's experiences of union organization versus informal work. Through the methodological triangulation of data and interviews with workers and digital platform workers, the characteristics, causes and consequences of informal work in the territory are explored, as well as perceptions regarding unionization. Interviews with digital platform workers reveal a mix of optimism and skepticism about unionization. Some people see unions as an opportunity to negotiate better working conditions, access to benefits and job security; However, there are also concerns about potential retaliation by companies, loss of work flexibility, additional costs of unionization, and the effectiveness of unions in a digital work environment.