Mexico Debates 16 Proposals to Cut Workweek to 40 Hours

Mexico's Chamber of Deputies now holds 16 separate legislative initiatives that propose a reduction of the national workweek. The majority of these proposals aim to establish a 40-hour weekly limit. The legislative push gained momentum with two new projects introduced on Oct. 7, one from the Labor Party (PT) and another from the Citizens’ Movement (MC).

“We need to take this great leap to reduce the workweek to 40 hours. We know it will have some form of gradual implementation, but we have to start now. We have all we need to do it: the proposals, a resolution from the last legislature, studies, and a commitment from the President and the Labor Commission.” says Patricia Mercado, Federal Deputy.

Legislative interest in reforming the workweek has accelerated in recent months. Since President Claudia Sheinbaum announced consultation forums in May to build a consensus proposal, seven new initiatives have been introduced in the lower house, representing nearly half of the total accumulated to date.

This momentum is not limited to the federal level. Last August, the Congress of Baja California submitted a package of constitutional and Federal Labor Law (LFT) amendments that, in addition to proposing a 40-hour workweek, was the first legislative effort to include premium pay on Saturdays. 

The 16 initiatives explore a variety of mechanisms and conditions for the reform’s implementation. The technical points under discussion include not only the 40-hour target but also operational and financial considerations for businesses. Key proposals include:

• Gradual Implementation: A phased transition of up to three years is contemplated, with different timelines based on company size to mitigate the impact on SMEs.

• Distribution Models: The proposals analyze distributing the 40 hours over six workdays and establishing daily shifts with a maximum of seven hours.

• Support Mechanisms: Several proposals suggest creating subsidies and fiscal incentives for companies and ensuring comprehensive salary protection for employees during the transition.

• Pilot Programs: The need to run pilot programs has been raised to assess the impact and adjust implementation before a general rollout.

• Expanded Coverage: Some initiatives explicitly seek to include public sector employees in the new workweek structure.

In parallel with legislative activity, the Chamber of Deputies’ Labor and Social Welfare Commission continues its "Route for 40 Hours" program, an active listening phase to gather proposals from various sectors through in-person and digital channels.

Findings From Consultation Forums

In July, the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS) closed public forums designed to gather input for a consensus project. According to an analysis of these forums by Grupo Estrategia Politica (GEP), four main points of consensus emerged. The first is the agreement that reducing the workweek has the potential to enhance both worker rights and productivity. The second is that implementation must be gradual and adapted to the specific characteristics of each industry. The third is that it is essential to develop technical diagnostics and begin with pilot programs to guide the process. Finally, they concluded that reform must be accompanied by fiscal incentives, training schemes, and a primary focus on SMEs.

However, the same GEP analysis notes that there are still points without clear consensus. These unresolved issues primarily relate to the target date for achieving the reduced workweek, the calculation and management of increased labor costs, and the specific legal framework that requires reform. These elements will be central to the final negotiation and ruling on the reform.