The Precariousness of Digital Work in Mexico

The object of this paper is to present the results of a research project on the working conditions of a selected group of people in Mexico using diverse digital technologies, from simple applications on cell phone, tablet, or computer, to more complex platforms, that shifted from presential to remote work. The main theme was to enquire on the subjects´ appreciation of the shift, in a case study using qualitative methodology.

A description is first made of the subjects involved, then of the type of work they do, their working conditions, and the transition to remote online work. They were asked to compare their working conditions before and after the transition.

The starting hypothesis was that online remote work leads objectively to the precarization of work. However, the subjective experience was found to be mixed, as some experienced the transition as positive, whereas others suffered the consequences. A brief discussion ensues explaining this mixed result.

Keywords: Digital work, digital platforms, working conditions, work precarization