Job market in the northern border of Mexico: Structure and employment policies

• Main Author: Jorge Eduardo Mendoza
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidad Autonoma de Baja California 2010-01-01
• Series: Estudios Fronterizos
• Subjects: Mercados laborales; empleo; frontera; manufacturas; política de empleo.
• Online Access: http://ref.uabc.mx/ojs/index.php/ref/article/view/132

The study analyzes the factors that have impacted the labor market and employment in the northern border of Mexico and in its most important border cities. The economic growth of the region is related to the labor market. Additionally, the most important employment policies, both at the national and the regional level, are described showing their advantages and limitations. It is shown that the rates of open unemployment are lower in the northern border, although there is an important pressure to provide employment for the increasing labor force. With respect to training, the states of Baja California and Nuevo Leon stand out for their industrial, technical and managerial courses. The employment polices have been an important tool for offsetting the increasing unemployment rates but have been only a partial instrument, since structural reforms in education and infrastructure development are required to promote investment and create employment.