Labor Inclusion Practices in Colombian Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs)

Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to identify the labor inclusion practices of Colombian micro and small enterprises (MSEs). Building a more fair and equal society requires an organizational culture and clear policies for labor inclusion. MSEs are organizations that can contribute to this purpose given their importance because they are the source of employment of more than 16 million Colombian people and generate 80% of the jobs in this country. Through descriptive research, and by applying a questionnaire to 78 MSEs from different sectors nationwide, it was possible to determine the labor inclusion practices followed by these organizations. It is mainly concluded that labor inclusion practices by the MSEs surveyed are not high. Of the 78 companies that participated in this study, which were selected from a non-random convenience sample, less than half (41%) have hired vulnerable people and have in their organizations between one and three collaborators in situation of vulnerability.