Empleo y seguridad social: otra década perdida en el mercado de trabajo de América Latina

this article examines the official statistics for latin america during the nineteen nineties, particularly those related to the structure of the labor market, social security coverage and income distribution. the conclusions are reflected in the article？s title which resumes the general situation in latin america. however, the authors examine the differences between countries and offer explanations for those differences. furthermore, they argue that the experience of the more northern latin american countries (mexico, central america and part of the caribbean) is different from those of the south (south america), especially the experience of the industrial sector. the economies of those in the north, more closely integrated into a north american economy in expansion, increased their industrial production and employment (although mainly on the basis of the maquila), while those in south america, where the local market was more important and the export markets for their industrial products more difficult, experienced adjustment policies that severely reduced the industrial capacity and provoked much higher rates of unemployment.