Delivery Drives Say Mexico’s Platform Law Meant Drop of 56% in Income

ByJared Laureles and Alexia Villaseñor

This article by Jared Laureles and Alexia Villaseñor originally appeared in the December 26, 2025 edition of La Jornada, Mexico’s premier left wing daily newspaper.

Just days before the pilot program to guarantee their access to social security concludes, digital platform workers accused the reform of bringing losses in their income and “limiting effective access” to their labour rights.

Representatives of these workers’ groups pointed out that, during the six-month trial period, more than one million delivery drivers and couriers were registered with the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS); however, on average, only 10 percent managed to access the five insurances established by law: illness and maternity, disability and life, retirement, unemployment in old age, and old age.

They warned that the increase in the minimum wage for 2026 will make it difficult for them to reach the required net income threshold.

Saúl Gómez, representative of Repartidores Unidos de México, pointed out that since the pilot test began (last July), those who are employed through digital platforms noticed a drop in the demand for services and orders, which directly impacted their income.

In an interview, he indicated that bicycle delivery drivers have experienced losses of between 25 and 30 percent; motorcycle drivers, up to 45 percent; and car drivers, between 48 and 56 percent.

Sergio Guerrero, leader of the National Union of App Workers (UNTA), highlighted that during the pilot test –from July to December– an exclusion percentage scheme was applied that has significantly reduced the number of workers with access to full social security.

According to data from the IMSS, he exemplified that in November, the month analyzed with more optimistic figures, of 1,199,000 people registered, only 164,205 (13.6 percent) were able to effectively access this benefit.