In Mexico, farmers and transporters have announced a nationwide indefinite strike starting this Monday, accompanied by major roadblocks. This comes as their previous demands following last year's blockades have gone unanswered. The core issues remain the same: the decline in national production due to unfair and low-quality imports, high costs, droughts, and low crop prices. Additionally, insecurity on highways, vehicle theft, extortion by authorities, and loss of cargo persist. The government, including Secretary of the Interior Rosa Icela Rodríguez, is urging protesters to keep roads clear, as it marks the return of holidaymakers from Easter break.
In Mexico, many state and municipal police forces suffer from low salaries and poor working conditions that do not compensate for the daily risks of the job. This environment fosters corruption, from negligence and bribes to direct involvement in criminal activities. Dying in the line of duty often leaves families without support, as few states and municipalities have effective systems in place. In Guanajuato, the state with the highest number of fallen officers, the "Blue Blood Network" has been launched. This program provides comprehensive support to the families of fallen officers, especially by assigning mentors to their children until they turn 18. The Guanajuato State Police are among the best-paid in Mexico, with full legal benefits and a history dating back to 1833.
Closing the gender pay gap remains a pending task in many industries, though several companies are making progress. Philip Morris México (PMM) has taken a significant step by obtaining the international Equal-Salary certification, which verifies that an organization ensures equal pay for equal work. PMM has over 1,500 employees in Mexico, with women holding 41% of leadership positions and making up 32% of the workforce, maintaining an inclusion index of 91%. The certificate is issued by the Federal Office for Equality between Men and Women in Vevey, Switzerland.
Meanwhile, the Federal Institute of Commercial Specialists (IFECOM) is facing one of its deepest operational crises. Despite handling a growing number of cases (from 2 in 2000 to 1,133 by 2025), the institute is failing to effectively restructure companies. The lack of performance metrics has turned the appointment of specialists into a lottery, with 57% of cases ending in bankruptcy. Bureaucracy and poor communication hinder IFECOM's role as a driver of economic recovery. Without reforms, IFECOM risks becoming a mere bureaucratic office that reports on company closures rather than rescuing them.
