Quintana Roo Seniors Face Job Barriers, Demand Opportunities

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — The president of the National Mutual Aid Association of Retired and Pensioned Workers of IMSS Section 36, Luis Miguel Cortés Talamante, stated that it is urgent for this population sector to have more job opportunities, as they are affected by a concerning reality: unemployment and labor discrimination.

He emphasized that they face barriers to accessing jobs that fit their needs and skills, which leads them to fall into vulnerability and exclusion. Although many survive with the resources provided by their retirement fund, which in some cases is the minimum, and with the federal government’s universal pension, it is not enough, forcing them to resort to limited options such as baggers in supermarkets or parking lot attendants.

“It is a reality that vacancies are scarce, especially because the vast majority of workplaces request young people or adults under 50 years of age, leaving a large percentage without the possibility of accessing a job, especially because many can continue within the economic sector performing their functions. Therefore, we consider it necessary to strengthen the generation of jobs for elderly people so they do not end up as baggers in stores or parking lot attendants to obtain extra income because their pension is not enough,” he said.

According to the Population and Housing Census of the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), in the state there are about 45,000 unemployed older adults, out of the 131,000 counted in 2020. Although there are programs to link them to jobs and their hiring, opportunities are limited and often poorly paid, so they end up self-employed in informality and living precariously.

“If a retired or pensioned person seeks work, it is because they need to supplement their daily expenses, not only for the household but also personally, since the purchasing power they have begins to decrease with the increase in prices of basic products and supplies, as well as medications. Not finding well-paid opportunities, they end up self-employed even in informality selling products, but often unable to cover these same needs,” he added.

He insisted that, although work should not be denied due to age, as it is prohibited by the Constitution and the Federal Labor Law, it is not easy for people over 60 years old to find a job.