Despite this progress, few workers are in unions. Many work under unfavorable conditions such as subcontracted, short-term contracts or under service agreements that either explicitly or tacitly prevent workers from belonging to a union. As a result, most Peruvians, particularly those working in the export-oriented sectors, work under dire conditions with low wages, few job safety and health protections and limited access to collective bargaining and freedom of association. 

The Solidarity Center works with union partners in the agro-industrial and mining industries where women, youth and indigenous workers are overrepresented in precarious jobs and disproportionately suffer the consequences of poor labor rights protections and enforcement. Women workers in the agro-industrial sector face the added burden of workplace discrimination or arbitrary dismissal if pregnant and often earn less than men for equal work. Gender bias among union leadership further reduces women’s affiliation to unions or leadership roles even though women constitute the majority of workers.

Given the ongoing political instability, the trade union movement will continue to expand its representation to build greater leverage to demand the successful implementation of labor code reform. If unions in Peru can better represent workers, engage with institutions, take part in social dialogue and use the legal system to hold employers and government accountable, they will improve institutional responsiveness and rule of law, which is critical to a functioning democracy.