Specialists agree that telecommuting is a great opportunity to improve working conditions of a large share of the population. Measures aimed at promoting information and communication technologies (ICT) are key, according to the survey Telecommuting in Latin America, published by 5G Americas.

By the end of 2014, Mexico had 2.6 million telecommuters, which made it one of the markets with the largest share of this kind of workers in Latin America. However, when compared to the entire Mexican working population, telecommuters barely reach 5%.

“In Mexico, telecommuting has a great growth potential, both for companies as well as for individuals who want to expand their labour market beyond the country’s borders. Therefore, it is vital to promote the adoption of ICT in the market as regards reach and the number of users who rely on technology to get better working conditions”, explained José Otero, director of 5G Americas for Latin America and the Caribbean.

The survey, which is part of the Series of ICT for Development, points out that telecommuting enables increasing the number of jobs in countries, reducing the socioeconomic gap in the region. Besides, given its features, it increases the number of women in the labour market, as stated by the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Social benefits of telecommuting make it necessary for governments to implement public policies addressed at improving connectivity. For instance, government strategies to increase the mobile broad-band spectrum, and to reduce bureaucratic obstacles for the implementation of telecommunications networks.

“Another key measures is to increasing accessibility of terminals. Giving workers the chance of having smartphones, tablets or notebooks are an opportunity to bring them closer to telecommuting”, completed Otero.

The report shows the concept that different international organizations, such as ILO and ECLAC, have on the development of telecommuting. It also includes the different options that markets in the region have been using to bring workers closer to connectivity and telecommuting.

Source: El Sol de México