Desprotección laboral y migración irregular: desafío para los derechos en América Latina y el Caribe

Resumen

This document, the result of qualitative research, examines the situation of irregular migrants in Latin America and the Caribbean, focusing particularly on Colombia. Based on a systematic review of 50 academic, legal, and institutional sources published between 2019 and 2025, the aim is to understand how their most basic labor rights are being violated. The main objective is to highlight the barriers these individuals face in accessing justice, decent employment, and social security. The results reveal a concerning reality: despite international commitments and regulatory advances, thousands of migrants remain trapped in informal, poorly paid jobs without legal protection. The lack of documents, the fear of deportation, and misinformation leave them exposed to exploitation. Women, domestic workers, and other vulnerable groups face even more obstacles. The research concludes that it is urgent to rethink more comprehensive public policies, setting aside immigration status as a barrier to exercising rights. Strengthening training, improving institutional coordination, and creating mechanisms for labor regularization are key steps to building a more just society, where all people, regardless of their origin, can work with dignity and security.