40% of state workforce in informal sector

About two out of every five workers in Baja California work in the economy’s informal sector — one that provides no healthcare or retirement benefits.

The National Institute of Statistics and Geography released the results of its employment report, which shows more than 713,000 of the state’s 1.7 million workers are classified in this sector.

The report also says more than 352,000 workers earn the minimum wage of around $8.50 per day. A little more than a million report earnings of up to $26 per day.

Economist Roberto Valero told La Voz newspaper that high-earning jobs have been disappearing over the years, which in exchange has lowered Baja Californians’ purchasing power.

Net average monthly earnings are about $190, Valero said.

The newspaper added that minimum-wage workers must work for four days in order to purchase the so-called basic basket — a group of 21 items needed for families that includes meat, soap, beans and others.

The state recently has been impacted by yearly inflation rates of over 8 percent.