According to data published today by “Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía” (INEGI), unemployment in Mexico grew 5.25% during March, reaching its’ highest level on 16 months.

The reference on unemployment rate on 5.26% for November 2012 shows the weak recovering rhythm of the second economy of the region.

The country’s economy has slowed down since the ending of 2013 and towards the end of last month no sign of improvement has been shown as regards consumption, export and investments.

The Mexican government estimates a growth of the economy on 3.9%, after 2013 which was the years with the smallest growth rate over the past four years.

Sub-employment rate, which includes those who have the need and disposition to work further hours than they currently do, grew 8.3% during March. During the same month on 2012, the sub-employment rate was around 7.8%.

The employment informality rate also grew reaching 58.42%. The FORLAC program, of the ILO, was set up in several regions of the country in order to move forward towards formality. As regards sub-contracting companies, it is necessary to advance on their formality by ratifying ILO’s Convention no.181 on private employment agencies, which shall allow the purification of the market, eliminating disloyal competence for serious companies within the sector. These companies are the main entrance towards formal employment market for vulnerable groups.