Sheinbaum Urges Uber to Absorb Labor Reform Costs

President Claudia Sheinbaum has urged Uber not to pass the costs of Mexico’s new labor reform for app-based workers on to consumers. Speaking at her daily morning press conference, she emphasized that the company’s profits should allow it to absorb the expense.

“Uber makes considerable earnings. There is no justification for shifting this burden to users,” Sheinbaum said. “A small contribution to workers doesn’t warrant increasing prices. These workers deserve social security, and the companies that benefit from their labor must contribute.”

The reform requires platforms like Uber and Didi to register drivers and delivery personnel with the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS). A six-month grace period has been granted to allow companies to assess the financial impact and determine the number of workers to be formally enrolled.

By mid-July, more than 400,000 platform workers had reportedly been registered with IMSS. When asked whether Uber would face penalties for suggesting the costs may be transferred to users, Sheinbaum said enforcement actions would be reviewed after the transition period.

She also highlighted the existence of a dedicated working group involving digital platforms, IMSS, and the Ministry of Labor. “We have a permanent dialogue table in place,” she noted.