Hours Worked Decrease

According to INEGI figures, the growth in hours worked (seasonally adjusted figures) in manufacturing was 0.18% in August compared to a year earlier, the lowest rate since the end of 2009.

The fall of 3.0% in the transport equipment industry, 2.8% in the manufacture of electrical appliances and 2.6% in machinery is striking. These industries are the most important in terms of employment and production within the national economy. The trucking industry reflects the General Motors strike, but it is not the only factor.

Other relevant industries such as plastic and rubber barely report an annual advance of 0.4% in their hours worked.

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A little better is the food and beverage industry, which is growing at rates of 1.8% per year. Also noteworthy is the 2.1% growth in hours worked in the computer equipment sector and the paper industry.

The low national demand caused by the drop in public and private investment in an environment of uncertainty, have impacted the total hours worked in the manufacturing industry, reflected in a lower growth of the workforce.

As a stone in the way is also the rebating and union demands in the framework of a labor reform encouraged by political demands from abroad.

Will the eventual approval of the T-MEC be able to counteract the effects of the disincentives that have been generated in the legal framework?