Mexico wins the Good Practice Award for the Americas

The International Social Security Association (ISSA) has presented the ISSA Good Practice Award for the Americas to the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) for its successful extension of social security to platform workers.

Mexican IMSS was awarded for its good practice Social security for digital platform workers at a ceremony on 25 March 2026 at the Regional Social Security Forum for the Americas in São Paulo, Brazil.

The Good Practice Award for the Americas competition attracted a record 187 good practice entries from 37 social security organizations in 19 countries, reflecting the region's strong commitment to advancement, inclusion and excellence in social security administration.

"I congratulate IMSS, Mexico on winning the ISSA Good Practice Award for the Americas for its groundbreaking initiative to extend social protection to platform workers", said Marcelo Abi-Ramia Caetano, Secretary General of ISSA.

Extending protection to new forms of work

IMSS received the Award for its groundbreaking reform to provide compulsory social security coverage for digital platform workers, including drivers and delivery workers. The initiative represents a major shift in how social security systems address new forms of employment in the digital economy.

In operation since 2025, the programme establishes compulsory affiliation for platform workers from the moment they connect to a platform, while preserving the flexibility that characterizes this type of work. Everyone is covered for occupational risks during their active working time, while workers who generate income above the minimum wage threshold are entitled to the full range of benefits offered by IMSS, including sickness and maternity, disability and life-insurance, old-age and childcare and social benefits.

Guided by ISSA standards and international good practice

The initiative was developed through a broad consensus process involving government authorities, the legislature, platform enterprises and workers' representatives. It introduced streamlined, fully digital registration and deregistration mechanisms adapted to multiple employers and fluctuating income patterns.

In designing the reform, IMSS drew on the ISSA Guidelines on Contribution Collection and Compliance and the ISSA Guidelines on the Promotion of Sustainable Employment, including guidance on identifying and supporting workers at-risk, simplifying procedures, promoting inclusion and preparing enterprises and workers for digital transformation.

The pilot programme, launched in July 2025, has already demonstrated significant impact. During its first three months, around 1.2 to 1.3 million workers were covered each month, with over 130,000 on average exceeding the minimum wage threshold and gaining access to full social security coverage. IMSS describes this as the most impactful economic reform in its history, representing the largest sectoral employment increase ever recorded by the institution.

Featured in the ISSA developments and trends report

The Mexican good practice is also highlighted in the new flagship report Social security developments and trends - Americas 2026, launched at the Regional Social Security Forum. The report emphasizes renewed efforts across the region to close coverage gaps for the "missing middle", including the self-employed and platform workers.

By including digital platform workers within the formal social security system, Mexico offers a compelling example of how institutions in the Americas are adapting to labour market transformation while strengthening universality, equity and sustainability.