The principle of equality in the hourly employment contract in the Ecuadorian State

Abstract

In Ecuador, the various contractual modalities in the Labour Code seek to balance the needs of employers and employees, thus generating debates on hourly work. The research addresses the principle of equality in hourly work contracts in Ecuador, highlighting its relevance in a labour context characterised by unemployment and informality. The objective is to determine the impact on the principle of procedural equality of the current legal conception of the application of the hourly employment contract in the Ecuadorian legal system. The methodology used adopts a qualitative approach, based on a bibliographical review of legal texts, academic articles and official documents, complemented by the analytical-synthetic method to break down and evaluate the normative provisions and the principle of equality. In addition, the exegetical method is applied to interpret legal and constitutional norms, identifying contradictions and gaps in their implementation. The findings allow us to propose strategies to strengthen labour oversight, guarantee social protection for hourly workers, and foster regulations that promote equity, highlighting the importance of legislative reforms to address structural inequalities in the Ecuadorian labour sphere.