A new joint report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reveals that more than 80 per cent of agricultural employment in Latin America remains informal, leaving workers—particularly women, youth, and older adults in rural areas—without formal protections or social security. The report, Decent Work and Informality in the Agricultural Sector of Latin America, 2019–2023, highlights persistent challenges in productivity, income, and access to social protection, which continue to hinder decent work in a sector vital for food security.
Informality in agriculture is closely linked to low levels of education, precarious working conditions, and heightened exposure to environmental and climate-related risks. Women are disproportionately affected: 86.4 per cent of female agricultural workers operate informally, compared with 78 per cent of men, and 38.5 per cent of women are engaged in unpaid family work—five times higher than among men. The sector also accounts for 46 per cent of all child labour in the region, and over half the workforce has limited education. Seasonal work patterns, part-time schedules, and lack of formal contracts further undermine job quality.
Ana Virginia Moreira Gomes, ILO Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, emphasized that informality remains “one of the most entrenched obstacles to social justice and sustainable development” and stressed that the report provides a roadmap for integrated, territory-focused policies to address it. René Orellana, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative, added that ensuring decent work in agriculture is not only a labour issue but also crucial for food security, resilience, and the region’s capacity to confront global challenges. He called for stronger rural digitalization, sustained financing, and inclusive social dialogue.
Between 2019 and 2023, agricultural employment volumes remained stable, but progress toward formalization was minimal. Nearly half of young workers and the vast majority of women continue to work informally. The report examined 35 public policy initiatives across the region, finding that while many target rural productivity, few explicitly aim to formalize employment or integrate a gender perspective.
To address these gaps, the report presents ten policy recommendations designed to accelerate the transition to formal employment and ensure decent work. These measures advocate for the integration of productive development, social protection, labour rights, and social dialogue to transform high informality into sustainable opportunities for millions of rural workers.
Both the ILO and FAO reaffirm their commitment to supporting governments, employers, and workers in implementing these integrated policies, aiming to turn agriculture into a driver of decent employment, food security, and equitable development across Latin America. The report underscores that advancing formalization is not just aspirational—it is an urgent necessity for the future of rural communities.
