IBOV 206,911.89 ▲ 7.70% IPSA 11,124.65 ▲ 1.91% IPC MEX 64,975.08 ▲ 0.69% MERVAL 2,869,488 ▲ 3.68% COLCAP 2,582.65 ▲ 2.69% BVL PERÚ 59,860.04 ▲ 0.60% USD/BRL5.00▼ 4.11% USD/MXN18.03▼ 0.27% USD/CLP970.78▼ 1.99% USD/COP3,197▲ 0.10% USD/PEN3.44▼ 0.26% USD/ARS1,520▼ 0.32% USD/UYU40.34▼ 0.30% USD/PYG5,844▲ 0.40% USD/BOB11.95▲ 0.17% USD/DOP60.10▲ 0.33% USD/CRC455.71▼ 0.15% USD/GTQ7.63▼ 0.09% USD/HNL26.86▼ 0.01% USD/NIO36.62▲ 2.96% USD/VES870.21▼ 0.01% USD/PAB1.00— 0.00% USD/BZD2.00— 0.00% USD/JMD 157.28 — 0.00% USD/TTD6.68▼ 0.14% EUR/BRL5.61▼ 4.75% BRENT 88.88 ▼ 0.03% WTI 83.11 ▼ 0.11% IRON ORE 161.91 — — COPPER 6.61 ▲ 0.03% GOLD 4,461 ▲ 1.78% SILVER 65.59 ▲ 1.26% SOY 1,184 ▲ 3.20% CORN 480.50 ▲ 10.02% WHEAT 655.00 ▲ 3.93% COFFEE 317.25 ▼ 5.51% SUGAR 16.43 ▼ 1.79% ORANGE JUICE 138.55 ▼ 0.47% COTTON 85.03 ▲ 2.33% COCOA 5,719 ▲ 3.18% BEEF 223.60 ▼ 3.93% CATTLE 339.10 ▼ 3.16% LITHIUM 75.20 ▲ 1.47% PETR4 41.64 ▼ 0.05% VALE3 72.97 ▲ 0.83% ITUB4 38.60 ▼ 1.03% BBDC4 16.85 ▲ 0.36% ABEV3 14.89 ▼ 0.80% BBAS3 19.37 ▲ 0.47% B3SA3 14.26 ▼ 0.21% WEGE3 47.59 ▲ 0.49% PRIO3 59.14 ▼ 0.19% SUZB3 41.33 ▲ 2.35% RENT3 34.68 ▼ 0.09% AZZA3 15.89 ▼ 2.63% CSAN3 3.22 ▼ 1.83% RAIZ4 0.25 — 0.00% PCAR3 2.75 ▼ 0.36% GMAT3 3.65 ▼ 1.08% PSSA3 48.13 ▼ 0.54% CVCB3 1.33 ▼ 2.92% POSI3 3.36 ▲ 2.44% SLCE3 13.34 ▲ 0.30% NATU3 8.14 ▼ 0.73% IBOV 206,911.89 ▲ 7.70% IPSA 11,124.65 ▲ 1.91% IPC MEX 64,975.08 ▲ 0.69% MERVAL 2,869,488 ▲ 3.68% COLCAP 2,582.65 ▲ 2.69% BVL PERÚ 59,860.04 ▲ 0.60% USD/BRL 5.16 ▲ 0.01% USD/MXN 17.06 ▼ 0.24% USD/CLP 913.98 ▲ 0.04% USD/COP 3,140 ▲ 0.03% USD/PEN 3.36 ▼ 0.66% USD/ARS 1,493 ▲ 0.10% USD/UYU 40.27 ▲ 1.24% USD/PYG 5,939 ▲ 1.68% USD/BOB 11.64 ▼ 0.76% USD/DOP 58.34 ▲ 1.25% USD/CRC 445.92 ▲ 0.89% USD/GTQ 7.62 ▲ 2.21% USD/HNL 26.79 ▲ 1.57% USD/NIO 36.62 ▲ 0.69% USD/VES 762.44 ▼ 0.13% USD/PAB 1.00 — 0.00% USD/BZD 2.00 — 0.00% USD/JMD 157.28 — 0.00% USD/TTD 6.70 ▲ 0.61% EUR/BRL 5.95 ▲ 1.01% BRENT 88.88 ▼ 0.03% WTI 83.11 ▼ 0.11% IRON ORE 161.91 — — COPPER 6.61 ▲ 0.03% GOLD 4,461 ▲ 1.78% SILVER 65.59 ▲ 1.26% SOY 1,184 ▲ 3.20% CORN 480.50 ▲ 10.02% WHEAT 655.00 ▲ 3.93% COFFEE 317.25 ▼ 5.51% SUGAR 16.43 ▼ 1.79% ORANGE JUICE 138.55 ▼ 0.47% COTTON 85.03 ▲ 2.33% COCOA 5,719 ▲ 3.18% BEEF 223.60 ▼ 3.93% CATTLE 339.10 ▼ 3.16% LITHIUM 75.20 ▲ 1.47% PETR4 41.64 ▼ 0.05% VALE3 72.97 ▲ 0.83% ITUB4 38.60 ▼ 1.03% BBDC4 16.85 ▲ 0.36% ABEV3 14.89 ▼ 0.80% BBAS3 19.37 ▲ 0.47% B3SA3 14.26 ▼ 0.21% WEGE3 47.59 ▲ 0.49% PRIO3 59.14 ▼ 0.19% SUZB3 41.33 ▲ 2.35% RENT3 34.68 ▼ 0.09% AZZA3 15.89 ▼ 2.63% CSAN3 3.22 ▼ 1.83% RAIZ4 0.25 — 0.00% PCAR3 2.75 ▼ 0.36% GMAT3 3.65 ▼ 1.08% PSSA3 48.13 ▼ 0.54% CVCB3 1.33 ▼ 2.92% POSI3 3.36 ▲ 2.44% SLCE3 13.34 ▲ 0.30% NATU3 8.14 ▼ 0.73%
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Tuesday, October 6, 2026

The Battle for Better Pay in Mexico

By · September 25, 2023 · 2 min read

Economist Arturo Huerta highlights the need for economic growth to improve wages in Mexico.

President López Obrador frequently addresses this in his morning talks. Despite efforts, a $12.07 daily minimum wage hasn’t raised living standards for all.

An economic analyst, Janeth Quiroz, points to high inflation as a factor. She notes that while inflation has dropped, it still affects essential spending.

Quiroz says increased prices for food and healthcare items are impacting disposable income.

In Latin America, Mexico’s wages rank in the top 10. Quiroz sees progress but ties it to national economic performance.

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Arturo Huerta cites the lack of strong labor unions as another barrier to better pay.

The Battle for Better Pay in Mexico.
The Battle for Better Pay in Mexico.
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Furthermore, many in Mexico work in informal sectors, challenging wage improvement.

Mexico has a robust economy on a global scale. However, foreign companies investing in the country often ignore employee well-being.

Huerta argues that greater public awareness and political action are needed.

Projects started under President López Obrador have potential but haven’t boosted job numbers. Huerta says individual efforts won’t suffice without a united national plan.

The list shows the monthly income based on minimum wage in descending order. It uses U.S. dollars for a uniform measure:

  1. Costa Rica: $650
  2. Uruguay: $550
  3. Chile: $550
  4. Ecuador: $450
  5. Guatemala: $391
  6. Mexico: $364.85
  7. El Salvador: $359.16
  8. Argentina: $338.09
  9. Honduras: $329
  10. Panama: $326

Background

In this context, it’s worth noting that Mexico’s economic challenges are complex. More vital labor unions could be critical in pushing for wage hikes.

Yet, the high rate of informal employment hampers these efforts. Also, global inflation trends, not just internal policies, impact Mexico’s economy.

Moreover, while foreign investment seemsoptimistice, it often fails to uplift local workers.

Large projects like the Tren Maya have potential but must focus on employee welfare. Public awareness is essential for driving political action.

Therefore, an informed and engaged society is crucial for meaningful economic change.

This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief

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