nder the Radar is a weekly special series bringing you compelling, under–the–radar stories from around the world, one region at a time. This week in the Americas, Mexico’s government is passing legislation to support digital platform workers, but female delivery drivers still feel unsafe. Other noteworthy under–the–radar stories from the region include an investigation into evangelical audio devices found in isolated and protected Brazilian communities, reports on how a dangerous South American parasite is harming Mexican ranchers, and a new study suggesting rising sea levels could flood iconic cultural sites.
As of July 1, 2025, Mexico’s government began testing a new reform that would entitle digital platform workers to receive the same benefits as salaried employees. The reform would allow workers, such as delivery workers and drivers, to maintain a flexible schedule while receiving healthcare, paid time off, and compensation for work–related accidents. The government will officially implement the reform in January 2026, after a six–month trial period. This is the second legal reform that Mexico’s government has recently implemented to protect digital platform workers, following the amendment of the Federal Labor Laws in April. The amendment included a mandate that companies protect employees from discrimination and violence. However, some digital platform workers, specifically female delivery workers, feel that their employers are still failing to protect them while they are working.
A 2023 report highlighted the issues women delivery workers in Mexico face. These issues range from no maternity leave to algorithmic discrimination to harassment and violence in the workplace. A different 2023 report found that one–in–five female delivery workers experienced sexual harassment while working. Since they often work late at night, some female delivery workers intentionally dress in more masculine clothing to protect themselves from sexual harassment. Most are even subject to discrimination and harassment from their male counterparts, who wrongly believe that women get more assignments and earn better tips. As an example of the harassment, one worker was assaulted by male delivery workers who throw chlorine on her, but received no support from the company she works for. Most concerningly, while delivery platforms in Mexico have an emergency button for workers, these buttons reportedly do not function properly.
While Mexico’s government has been supportive of digital platform workers’ rights, many workers do not feel that the apps are doing enough to protect them, leading female delivery workers to create group chats to support one another. Similarly, they have established multiple “Puntos Naranja” (Orange Spots), which are designated areas in restaurants where they can take breaks during work, charge their phones, use the restroom without harassment, and support one another.
Some workers even believe that digital platforms are punishing them for the reforms the government is implementing, highlighting how delivery rates dropped in the spring, which corresponds with the government’s April amendments.
Here are some other under–the–radar stories from the Americas:
- A new investigation revealed that missionaries are illegally planting audio devices in protected rainforest territories near Brazil to evangelize isolated and uncontacted communities.
- The U.S. has again halted live cattle crossing from Mexico for the third time in eight months over concerns about a dangerous parasite found in some Mexican cattle, and the suspension is devastating for Mexican ranchers.
- A new study suggests 50 cultural sites in Latin America, including Easter Island’s Moai statues, are at risk of being flooded by rising sea levels by 2080.
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Women digital platform workers under duress in Mexico
Photo by Vlad Kutepov on Unsplash
September 5, 2025
Diplomatic Courier’s Stephanie Gull brings you weekly under–the–radar stories from around the world. This week in the Americas: digital platform workers in Mexico, particularly women, face rising harassment and government efforts to help are falling flat.
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nder the Radar is a weekly special series bringing you compelling, under–the–radar stories from around the world, one region at a time. This week in the Americas, Mexico’s government is passing legislation to support digital platform workers, but female delivery drivers still feel unsafe. Other noteworthy under–the–radar stories from the region include an investigation into evangelical audio devices found in isolated and protected Brazilian communities, reports on how a dangerous South American parasite is harming Mexican ranchers, and a new study suggesting rising sea levels could flood iconic cultural sites.
As of July 1, 2025, Mexico’s government began testing a new reform that would entitle digital platform workers to receive the same benefits as salaried employees. The reform would allow workers, such as delivery workers and drivers, to maintain a flexible schedule while receiving healthcare, paid time off, and compensation for work–related accidents. The government will officially implement the reform in January 2026, after a six–month trial period. This is the second legal reform that Mexico’s government has recently implemented to protect digital platform workers, following the amendment of the Federal Labor Laws in April. The amendment included a mandate that companies protect employees from discrimination and violence. However, some digital platform workers, specifically female delivery workers, feel that their employers are still failing to protect them while they are working.
A 2023 report highlighted the issues women delivery workers in Mexico face. These issues range from no maternity leave to algorithmic discrimination to harassment and violence in the workplace. A different 2023 report found that one–in–five female delivery workers experienced sexual harassment while working. Since they often work late at night, some female delivery workers intentionally dress in more masculine clothing to protect themselves from sexual harassment. Most are even subject to discrimination and harassment from their male counterparts, who wrongly believe that women get more assignments and earn better tips. As an example of the harassment, one worker was assaulted by male delivery workers who throw chlorine on her, but received no support from the company she works for. Most concerningly, while delivery platforms in Mexico have an emergency button for workers, these buttons reportedly do not function properly.
While Mexico’s government has been supportive of digital platform workers’ rights, many workers do not feel that the apps are doing enough to protect them, leading female delivery workers to create group chats to support one another. Similarly, they have established multiple “Puntos Naranja” (Orange Spots), which are designated areas in restaurants where they can take breaks during work, charge their phones, use the restroom without harassment, and support one another.
Some workers even believe that digital platforms are punishing them for the reforms the government is implementing, highlighting how delivery rates dropped in the spring, which corresponds with the government’s April amendments.
Here are some other under–the–radar stories from the Americas:
- A new investigation revealed that missionaries are illegally planting audio devices in protected rainforest territories near Brazil to evangelize isolated and uncontacted communities.
- The U.S. has again halted live cattle crossing from Mexico for the third time in eight months over concerns about a dangerous parasite found in some Mexican cattle, and the suspension is devastating for Mexican ranchers.
- A new study suggests 50 cultural sites in Latin America, including Easter Island’s Moai statues, are at risk of being flooded by rising sea levels by 2080.
