AGP Executive Report

Venezuela Hiring: Oilfield services firm Weatherford says it is rapidly expanding its Venezuelan workforce as new oil activity gathers pace. Brazil Workweek: A constitutional amendment signed by President Lula reduces the workweek to 40 hours, ending the six-day schedule. Youth Employment: One in five young Colombians is not studying or working, highlighting a major challenge for the region’s labor market. AI and Jobs: A new report finds hiring demand has fallen nearly 10% in AI-exposed roles, while demand for new skills is opening career paths. Labor Outlook: Venezuela is weighing labor proposals as workers demand a real wage recovery; Argentina, meanwhile, is stepping up efforts to shrink its public-sector workforce.

Mexico Manufacturing: Nestlé pledged another $1 billion for Mexican factories from 2028 to 2030, bringing its six-year investment plan to $2 billion and deepening local supply chains. Brazil Workweek: Congress approved a 40-hour week with two days off and no salary cuts, a major shift for workers long on a six-day schedule. Colombia Youth Jobs: One in five young Colombians is not in education, employment or training, underscoring a persistent barrier to entering the workforce. Venezuela Energy Hiring: A projected oil investment surge is prompting global service firms to step up hiring, even as workers press for better wages and labor protections. Skills & Jobs: Enpal is training Colombian electricians for jobs in Germany, while a separate analysis finds AI is reducing hiring demand in some exposed roles by nearly 10% as new skill pathways emerge. Paraguay Manufacturing: Maquila exports topped $1.14 billion in 2026 as the sector expanded.

Working Hours: Brazil’s Congress has approved a constitutional change cutting the workweek to 40 hours and guaranteeing two days off without reducing pay, a major shift for workers and employers. Youth Employment: One in five young Colombians is not in education, work or training, underscoring the region’s challenge in connecting young people to jobs. Energy Jobs: Venezuela’s oil revival is prompting global service companies to step up hiring as investment returns to the sector. Public-Sector Cuts: Argentina is accelerating efforts to shrink its government workforce as President Javier Milei pursues austerity. Labor Relations: Volkswagen workers in Puebla rejected a proposed labor deal, challenging union leaders and highlighting ongoing tensions over worker representation.

AI and Hiring: AI has cut hiring demand by nearly 10% in jobs most exposed to the technology, but new skills are opening career paths, a new analysis finds. Digital Skills: The World Bank’s first digital strategy aims to expand affordable internet, strengthen digital services and skills, and create jobs in developing countries. Wage Pressure: Venezuelan workers are demanding real wage recovery as the government weighs labor proposals. Youth Employment: One in five young Colombians is not in education, employment or training, highlighting a major challenge for the country’s workforce. Working Hours: Brazil has approved a reform to reduce the workweek to 40 hours, end the six-day schedule and guarantee two days off without cutting pay. Public-Sector Jobs: Argentina is stepping up efforts to shrink its public workforce.

Regional Hiring: Sweden’s SKF plans a Panama distribution center serving markets across Latin America, with local jobs expected when operations begin in about 17 months. KUKA México has also opened a learning facility in Monterrey, adding a workforce-training focus. Venezuela’s Jobs Push: Global oil-service companies are stepping up hiring as investment returns to the country’s oilfields. Separately, Venezuela is working with UNCTAD and CAF on export diversification aimed at creating quality jobs and attracting private investment. Brazil’s Working Hours: Congress approved a constitutional reform to end the six-day work schedule and set a 40-hour week with two days off and no cut in pay—a major change for workers and employers. Mexico’s Labor Relations: Volkswagen workers in Puebla rejected a second proposed union deal, continuing a dispute over representation and working conditions.

Energy Hiring: Hiring is picking up in Venezuela’s oilfields as the first wave of new investment builds, signaling renewed demand for workers in the sector. Public-Sector Jobs: Argentina is stepping up efforts to reduce its public workforce, a move with direct implications for government employees. Skills & Jobs: Costa Rican medical-cannabis producer Hybrida Farms says its operation is creating skilled local jobs as it expands exports. Mining Workforce: Brazil’s critical and strategic minerals sector employs 129,000 people, highlighting its growing role as a source of jobs. Working Hours: Brazil has approved a constitutional amendment to end the six-day 6x1 schedule and set a 40-hour week with two days off and no pay cuts; companies are preparing for the change.

Energy Hiring: Venezuela’s oilfield recruitment is picking up as the first wave of investment builds, pointing to fresh demand for workers in the sector. Public-Sector Jobs: Argentina is stepping up efforts to shrink its government workforce, putting public-sector jobs in focus. Mining Workforce: Brazil’s strategic minerals sector employs 129,000 people, highlighting its role as a major source of industrial employment. Working Hours: Brazil has approved a 40-hour workweek and two days off without a pay cut, ending the six-day schedule; employers are now racing to adapt. Labor Market: Brazil’s long-term unemployment has fallen to 1 million, a notable improvement in the country’s jobs picture.

AI at Work: Liberty Caribbean urged employees to verify unusual requests and report suspected AI impersonation, warning that new tools can make workplace fraud harder to spot. Working Hours: Brazil’s Congress approved a move to a 40-hour week and an end to the six-day 6x1 schedule, a major labor change that businesses warn could raise operating costs. Employment Trends: Brazil’s long-term unemployment fell to 1 million, while reported child labor dropped 9.2% from 2024 to 2025. Unpaid Work: A report on women’s care responsibilities highlights how unpaid labor continues to subsidize Latin American economies.

Brazilian Shipbuilding: Transpetro has begun a 13-vessel order at a Rio Grande shipyard, part of a multibillion-dollar expansion expected to boost local shipbuilding and jobs. Working Hours: Brazil’s Congress approved a move to a 40-hour week without pay cuts, ending the six-day work schedule; employers warn the change could raise costs. Energy Talent: Argentina’s Vaca Muerta shale boom is bringing high wages but also talent shortages, intensifying competition for skilled workers. AI Skills: Latin American engineers are pursuing Claude certifications as U.S. demand grows for workers who can deploy AI.

Brazilian Workweek: Brazil has approved a constitutional change moving toward a 40-hour workweek and ending the six-day schedule, a major labor-policy win for President Lula. Skills Gap: In Colombia, 53.5% of young people reportedly struggle to land a first job because they lack experience. Energy Jobs: Venezuela’s government says its Hydrocarbons Act could create 324,000 jobs over the next decade as it seeks new oil investment. Hiring Pressures: Argentina’s Vaca Muerta oil boom is bringing high wages but also talent shortages, putting pressure on employers to find skilled workers.

Brazil’s Workweek: Congress approved a constitutional reform ending the widespread six-day schedule; Lula signed the measure, which phases in a 40-hour week and two days off without wage cuts. Venezuela’s Oil Jobs: President Delcy Rodríguez says hydrocarbons investments could create 324,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs over a decade. The government plans an industry forum to promote local hiring and suppliers. Argentina’s Energy Hiring: Vaca Muerta’s oil boom is bringing high wages but also talent shortages, putting pressure on employers to find skilled workers. Brazil’s Unemployment: Long-term unemployment has fallen to 1 million, according to a recent report. Colombia’s Young Workers: More than half of young people seeking a first job reportedly cannot find work, with lack of experience a major barrier.

Brazil’s Workweek: Congress approved ending the 6×1 schedule and cutting the standard workweek to 40 hours without reducing pay; Lula has signed the constitutional amendment. Brazil’s Jobs Picture: Long-term unemployment has fallen to 1 million, but the online gambling ban has reportedly cost more than 3,500 jobs. Colombia’s Youth Employment: A report says 53.5% of young people struggle to get their first job, with lack of experience a major barrier. Tourism Hiring in Mexico: Yucatán says tourism investment is generating more than 15,000 jobs, with projects reaching beyond the main resort areas.

Workweek Reform: Brazil’s Senate approved a constitutional amendment to end the six-day work schedule and move toward a 40-hour week without cutting pay, a major change for workers and employers. Employment Trends: Brazil’s long-term unemployment fell to 1 million, while the country’s online betting ban has reportedly cost more than 3,500 jobs. Youth Jobs: In Colombia, 53.5% of young people reportedly struggle to land a first job, with lack of experience a key barrier. Unpaid Care: A new report highlights how women’s unpaid care work subsidizes Latin America’s economy and limits their opportunities in paid work.

Brazil’s Workweek: Congress approved ending the six-day work schedule and moving toward a 40-hour week without pay cuts, a major change for workers. Employers warn it could raise costs and prices. Exuma Hiring Needs: About $1.5 billion in projects are progressing in the Bahamas, with demand expected for hospitality staff, electricians, engineers, marine technicians and other local talent. AI Skills: Latin American engineers are increasingly earning Claude certifications as U.S. employers face a shortage of AI implementation talent. Job Losses: Brazil’s online betting ban has cost an estimated 3,500 jobs so far, according to an industry survey. Yucatán Investment: Tourism projects worth 11.5 billion pesos are expected to generate more than 15,000 jobs, with investment reaching municipalities beyond the state capital.

Brazilian Workweek: The Senate approved a constitutional reform cutting the maximum workweek from 44 to 40 hours, with two paid days off. The change will phase in over 14 months and gives President Lula a campaign boost. Worker Safety: Seven miners died in six accidents in Chile between September 23 and October 14, bringing this year’s mining death toll to 13. AI Skills: More Latin American engineers are earning Claude certifications as U.S. employers seek talent to deploy AI. Jobs and Regulation: Brazil’s online betting ban has cost an estimated 3,500 jobs, while investment in Mexico’s Yucatán state is expected to generate more than 15,000 tourism-related jobs.

Working Hours: Brazil’s Congress approved a constitutional amendment cutting the standard workweek from 44 to 40 hours, with two days off and no salary reduction — a major change to workers’ rights. Youth Employment: In Colombia, 53.5% of young people reportedly struggle to land a first job because they lack experience. Job Losses: Brazil’s betting ban has cost an estimated 3,500 jobs so far, according to an industry survey. Investment and Hiring: Mexico’s Yucatán state says tourism investment of 11.5 billion pesos is expected to generate more than 15,000 jobs, with a focus on municipalities beyond the main cities.