Overview
- A report by the Fundación Germán Abdala says 64% of state employees have more than one job, with 44% holding two, 17% three and 3% four or more.
- More than half of public workers earn below the total basic basket, only 36% live on a single income, and just 58% hold permanent or transitional posts as contracting spreads.
- The Economy Ministry froze public-sector wage bargaining in December 2023, a move tied to a 14% real wage drop versus November 2023 and more than 35,000 layoffs under the downsizing plan.
- The government is advancing labor changes outlined by Economy Minister Luis Caputo and Labor Secretary Julio Cordero to flexibilize agreements, link pay to productivity and lower labor costs.
- Broader data from Consultora C-P show multi-jobholding rose from 8% in 2016 to 12% in 2024 and is now widespread across occupations, while unions warn the reforms risk entrenching fragmented, low-quality work and are pressing for higher minimum pay, shorter hours and platform protections.