Equality and nondiscrimination employment legislation in Mexico: evolution and effectiveness by gender and age

Abstract

This chapter assesses the extent to which legislation and policy in Mexico encourage equality of opportunities and nondiscrimination in the workplace. Drawing on a relational framework and institutional approach, we examine secondary data about legislation and key equality-related employment statistics by gender and age over the period from 2005-2018. Results show that Mexico's labor legislation is supportive of equal opportunities; however, regulatory, normative, and cognitive cultural structures severely limit its effects. This chapter contributes to the literature by assessing for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, the evolution and effectiveness of employment legislation in Mexico, an under-researched country. It also provides evidence that progressive legislation is insufficient to achieve diversity and equality. Furthermore, this chapter identifies institutional structures likely to significantly improve employment equality in Mexico, and suggests courses of action for managers and policymakers interested in improving equal employment opportunities.