Vulnerability and psychosocial risks in the labor trajectories of Central American and Mexican migrants at their Queretaro, Mexico, station

Abstract

The migration process has been investigated from various perspectives, but few studies have paid attention to psychosocial risks. This article analyzed the work trajectories of migrant men and women in the Queretaro, Mexico, station, with a qualitative, micro-regional, exploratory, cross-sectional study with a focus on the reconstruction of life and work experiences. The field work was carried out at the Marist Migrant Support Center (CAMMI) in the Municipality of Querétaro, Mexico, between January and June 2019. The findings highlight the relevance of non-institutional support networks (organized and non-organized civil society), as well as the perception of little visibility of a care policy from the state and its institutions for migrants in transit through the entity. Among the most relevant findings is the multiactivity in the work trajectories of migrants, the learning of trades during the migratory journey and the forms of job insecurity and social and psychosocial risk and vulnerability. It is concluded that there is a high degree of vulnerability and psychosocial risks among the migrant population.