Promoting decent work in a context of transition in Latin America

Expertise France is involved in the entire continuum of access to decent work, calling on French, European and international public experts having forged a reputation in the fields of labour, jobs and welfare, mobilised via peer-to-peer discussion and adapted to local conditions. 

In line with the Sustainable Development Goal No. 8 which mandates shared, sustainable economic growth, our approach hinges on four complementary pillars: Promoting public policy that supports labour regulation; building the institutional capacity of authorities in charge of implementing regulatory policies for jobs, welfare, and health and safety at work; supporting social and territorial dialogue among public stakeholders, businesses and social partners; and developing tangible, operational solutions adapted to local conditions. 

Our action also falls within EU priorities, especially the Global Gateway Investment Agenda (GGIA). By way of its action fostering decent work, Expertise France contributes to creating an environment conducive to investment, productivity and competitivity for businesses, while ensuring that these dynamics fall with a framework of sustainable development and social inclusion. 

The promotion of decent work has become a global challenge, in a context of transition in terms of demographics, production, the environment and digital. Latin America, and Mexico in particular, perfectly illustrates these trends. With around 56% of the working population working non-regulated jobs, the labour market in Mexico highlights the importance of regulation, welfare and governance at work. 

Since 2023, Expertise France has partnered the FIAP to implement the European programme EU4DecentWork, in support of the Mexican government, contributing to the nation’s goals as laid out in its National Development Plan. This programme aims to strengthen public policy to regulate labour, as well as improve access to welfare and decent working conditions in Mexico. These goals are implemented via a combination of actions carried out with European institutions, including industry-wide and territory-wide dialogue with public and private stakeholders in regions of national strategic importance, as well as innovative pilot projects involving leading European businesses. 

To date, the project has especially helped to formulate 10 public policy proposals, implement some 30 pilot initiatives across five priority territories, conduct advocacy work at over 350 Mexican government institutions and businesses, train 100 vulnerable young people and help them gain access to the labour market and train over 200 labour inspectors. This programme illustrates a highly operations-based approach, working with the territories and industries involved to bring sustainable change to labour policy.

The agency has helped to introduce more regulations and professionalism to healthcare in Mexico via the AFD-funded CRECER project. Workers are offered certified training courses to build their skills in providing healthcare for children in Mexico City: 200 people are currently benefitting from this. The project also includes a participatory process aiming to draw up a new standard for professional skills. 

Since 2024, Expertise France, FIAP, IILA and GIZ have implemented the regional programme “Inclusive Societies”. This helps to boost the social aspect of the Global Gateway strategy in Latin America and the Caribbean. It aims to reduce inequality while fostering social cohesion, via three complementary policies: reinforcing gender equality and welfare and health systems, support for more inclusive, transparent institutions that are open to dialogue with citizens, and lastly the promotion of socio-professional inclusion via training and access to jobs.