According to a report developed by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Chile, Argentina and Uruguay are the three countries that lead the “double inclusion” ranking in Latin America, which refers to an improvement of the social and working conditions.

Despite the fact that regulatory frameworks are not adequate, and there is a lot of room for improvements, these countries have make it possible for their population to have greater access to social services, and better work opportunities.

The share of families that have achieved to have more dignified lives grew from 20% in 2002 to 29% in 2015.

Nevertheless, barely three out of ten Latin Americans have reached these minimum levels, which include access to education, healthcare, and basic services such as drinking water and sanitation, a regular income and a house to live.

Double inclusion (% of households)

• Chile                                  58.3%
• Argentina                         54.3%
• Uruguay                           51.4%
• Ecuador                           35.6%
• Brazil                                35.5%
• Colombia                         34.1%
• Mexico                             32.2%
• Costa Rica                       31.9%
• Dominican Republic     28.3%
• Bolivia                                24%
• Venezuela                          24%
• Peru                                  23.8%
• Paraguay                         21.3%
• El Salvador                     16.9%
• Honduras                        9.2%
• Guatemala                       7.9%
• Nicaragua                        n/a

As the list reflects, the three first countries show far higher figures than the countries from the 4^th place on.

According to Laís Abramo, who managed the study, there are certain historical characteristics shared by these countries.

“These countries were pioneers in the development of welfare states, with broad public systems and an extended network of social coverage in terms of education, healthcare and pensions”.

 “Uruguay is a country that shows elevated levels of labour inclusion and elderly adults care. However, it faces a major challenge in terms of secondary school education”, said the researcher.

In Argentina, from 2002 to 2015 (the period of time analysed by the report), Abramo states that education and labour formalization in sectors that have traditionally been excluded for regulations (such as domestic workers), have expanded. One of the current challenges is also secondary school education.

Likewise, Chile improved its index by combining economic growth and redistributive policies.

There is a case in the report that draws attention: Bolivia’s case, which in little more than a decade managed to triple its’ inclusion level, going from 7.9% to 24%. Colombia, Peru and Paraguay have also shown major improvements, as they have almost double their levels of inclusion in the same period of time.

The report also states there has been a general “increase in educational coverage and basic infrastructure; female participation in the labour market has also expanded, unemployment has decreased, and there was an expansion of social protection policies”, says Abramo.

“Even though the situation has improved, there still is a lot to be done in Latin America. Double inclusion shows lower levels in rural areas, among indigenous and afro population, among households led by women, and in the lower income social stratums”, she adds.

The research focuses on the need of creating decent work, defined by the International Labour Organization (ILO) as productive and quality work, performed in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity.

In other words, work that is not based in unhealthy, dangerous, insecure or degrading conditions and that has social protection.