Bibliometric review of the protection of labor rights in Ecuador

Abstract

The protection of labor rights in Ecuador is a growing legal and social field of academic interest, especially due to the tensions between normative recognition, institutional enforcement, and the effective guarantee of decent work. The objective of this article was to bibliometrically analyze the scientific production indexed in Scopus on the protection of labor rights in Ecuador during the 2021-2026 period. The study followed a bibliometric, documentary, and descriptive approach, based on an initial search of 58 documents retrieved from Scopus using the equation TITLE-ABS-KEY("labor rights") AND TITLE-ABS-KEY("ecuador"). After the screening and thematic eligibility process, 38 documents directly related to the object of study were selected, while 7 were used as contextual support and 13 were excluded due to low relevance. The results showed an irregular but sustained scientific production, with higher concentration in 2021, 2022, and 2024. The main dimensions identified were labor inclusion of persons with disabilities, gender and domestic work, job stability, occupational health, telework, migration, child labor, platform economy, and serious violations such as modern slavery. It is concluded that scientific production on labor rights in Ecuador is expanding, although still fragmented; therefore, more integrative research is needed on regulatory compliance, labor inspection, social security, and the protection of vulnerable groups.