Despite recent reports highlighting the economic impact of digital platforms, workers in Peru continue to raise concerns about the precariousness of their situation.
With several legislative projects stalled, the latest of which was approved by Congress in May, they don't benefit from job security and recognition of their labour rights.
In addition to unfair suspensions for refusing to work in the most dangerous urban areas and high levels of road accidents, app-based delivery workers and ride-hailing drivers have frequently denounced pay cuts by the platforms and changes to the terms and conditions they couldn't negotiate.
When it comes to the cost of living, WageIndicator's research shows that most of the prices collected, including electronics, vehicles, and clothing used by gig workers at work, have decreased over the past year.
A particular situation has emerged in Peru. In September, inflation fell below double digits for the longest period in the country's history and in the region as a whole. Annual inflation rate of 2.4%, recorded in April this year, was the lowest among the continent's major economies. This indicator was lower than in Canada (2.7%), the United States (3.4%), Brazil (3.7%), Chile (4%), Mexico (4.7%) and Colombia (7.2%).
However, the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI) reports that in the Lima metropolitan area, the prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages are rising, as are prices in various consumption sectors such as restaurants and hotels, and education.
All cities reported price rises, with Trujillo, Chiclayo and Arequipa among the cities with the greatest variations. Most of the country's workforce is concentrated in urban areas.
Economists also stress that a typical family needs S/ 2,976 to cover its basic needs, much more than the minimum wage of S/ 1,025. A large proportion of Peruvian families have had to reorganise their budgets and are unable to save. The focus also needs to be on the widening wealth gap between rich and poor, and between women and men.
In a context of high unemployment, where digital platforms could make a positive contribution by helping to generate income, companies can't prove they're guaranteeing a minimum wage after costs, and gig workers feel at the mercy of platforms that can change pay standards at will.
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