Peru’s labor minister outlines plans to boost employment and healthcare

Peru’s Minister of Labor and Employment Promotion, Juan Sheput, presented a plan to the country’s Congress detailing efforts to strengthen social security, protect jobs, and create opportunities for vulnerable populations.

Sheput explained that the country’s economic recovery has coincided with improved employment figures, with formal employment growing by 4.2% nationally and 5.6% in the private sector as of June 2026.

To maintain this progress, the Ministry of Labor and Employment Promotion (MTPE) is working with businesses and training centers to align skills development with current job market demands, particularly for young people. The MTPE has also established a commission to study the impact of artificial intelligence, automation, and robotics on employment. This group will anticipate future labor needs and promote training and retraining programs, following agreements made by the National Council of Labor and Employment Promotion.

One program, Jóvenes Productivos, focuses on helping vulnerable youth gain employment by tailoring training to specific company needs and securing job placement commitments. Beyond long-term planning, the government is taking immediate steps to mitigate the potential impact of the El Niño weather phenomenon on employment. Through Llamkasun Perú, officials are creating over 11,000 temporary jobs and have already transferred 42.7 million soles to 238 districts to support vulnerable communities.

For 2026-2027, the MTPE plans to generate 54,000 temporary jobs with an investment of 218 million soles. The minister also announced a restructuring of EsSalud, Peru’s social health insurance system, to address a backlog of over 40,000 patients awaiting surgery and a high rate of inoperable medical equipment.