Mexico’s 40-Hour Workweek: A Game Changer for Mining

Mexico stands at a critical juncture in its labor history, as it advances toward implementing a groundbreaking reform to reduce the maximum workweek from 48 to 40 hours. For the mining industry, which operates continuously 24/7/365, this legislative change presents unprecedented operational, economic, and strategic challenges that demand immediate attention and innovative solutions.

The gradual reduction of Mexico's workweek from 48 to 40 hours represents a transformative change in the nation's labor landscape, aligning Mexico with international standards while addressing worker well-being and work-life balance. For the mining industry, this reform previously announced by President Claudia Sheinbaum, and with the full proposal most likely hitting Congress officially before the end of this year, just days from the date on which this article was written, this change is real. It's set to roll out progressively: reducing the current 48-hour cap starting in 2026 and ending with the final goal of 40 hours by 2029-2030, with no pay cuts. For mining companies who run sites around the clock, 365 days a year, this could upend schedules, costs, and lives. But handled right, it's a chance to build safer, happier crews without killing productivity. Let's break it down, plainly and simply.

This reform will amend Article 123 of our Constitution and the Federal Labor Law. The goal? Match global norms, like the ILO pushes for, and give workers more time for family, health, and rest. Other implications are expected, such as having two full rest days after five workdays, and overtime pay kicking in after 40 hours. For mining, which never sleeps — hauling ore, drilling blasts, running plants — it's an important matter and challenge. But it's not impossible. The slow rollout gives the industry breathing room to adapt, but the main goal should be looking for better working conditions, and to avoid restructures that end up materializing with real income reductions for the workforce.

The challenges are multifactorial. Mines will need to focus on avoiding high-impact operational disruptions and coverage gaps due to understaffed crews, which might lead to the need to increase the existing staff and workforce. This will represent an additional economic and financial effort on the side of the employer. Also, safety must always come first: All strategies analyzed and implemented should have the employee’s well-being at the center, as this is a priority not negotiable under any amended law.

Nonetheless, as implementation seems to be imminent, the message is going to be clear and simple: ignore this new reality, and the risks of non-compliance will be high. Embrace it, and you will likely modernize and be compliant. There are some benefits when successfully implemented: happier workers mean fewer risks of sick days, better focus underground, and maybe even higher output.

Other countries have walked this road, and their stories light the way. Chile sliced from 45 to 40 hours in 2023 with Law 21.561, staggering it by industry. Result? No job losses, and productivity jumped, because they moved in a smart way, focusing on adaptation without big disruption, government support, and clear and effective communication of the impact. Colombia eased in changes with planning and flexibility for key sectors, dodging big hits. Over in Europe, similar reforms have also turned out to be effective: France runs on 36 hours, Sweden 35.7, Belgium under 35 — and their companies and factories hum along fine.

The reform might, potentially, include some softeners, like floating tax breaks: full write-offs for worker compensations if you comply, short-term aid for small operations via the Finance Ministry, and credits and incentives for keeping headcounts steady.

For Mexico's mines, this reform will also mean working and implementing new ideas: adjusting your shifts to be compliant, ramp-up automatization (without cutting work positions), timing your workforce tasks more effectively, applying smart fixes and hires, training your crews for new and flexible rotation schemes, and teaming up with communities and unions, if applicable.

The reform isn't just a set of rules. It's a reset for Mexico's mining backbone: mining already produces a huge positive impact in Mexico’s economy, with more than 350,000 direct jobs, economic development for surrounding communities, relevant tax contributions, huge investments in local economies, and solid numbers in exports.

By 2030, the goal is to have happier miners, prouder families, and even more successful mining companies. But we should start now. Audit shifts, chat with key stakeholders, keep an eye out for creative opportunities, and define in advance an effective implementation strategy. Mexico's conscious mines are strong and resilient; the test will be passed.