Modalidades laborales y estabilidad económica: análisis del trabajo por horas y el trabajo fijo en Guayaquil

Abstract

This research analyzes fixed-term and hourly employment arrangements and their impact on the economic stability of workers in the city of Guayaquil. The study is justified by the increase in flexible forms of employment and the need to assess their effects on job security, income, and access to social rights, considering the context of the Ecuadorian labor market. The main objective was to identify the differences between the two types of employment in terms of economic stability, access to social benefits, and job satisfaction. The research was conducted using a mixed approach, with a descriptive and analytical design. Surveys were administered to workers who were employed under fixed-term or hourly contracts, considering only those who had been employed for six months or more, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with three experts in the field of labor, which allowed the quantitative analysis to be complemented with qualitative evidence. The results showed that fixed-term work was associated with higher levels of economic stability, predictable income, and comprehensive access to social benefits, which facilitated financial planning and strengthened job security. In contrast, hourly work presented advantages related to flexibility and time management, but also higher levels of instability, economic uncertainty, and limited access to protection.