Chiapas Leads Workweek Reduction With New Public Sector Action

Following President Claudia Sheinbaum’s workweek reduction announcement and ongoing discussions, the government of Chiapas introduced a new measure to reduce the working hours of state employees. Starting March 7, public sector workers in Chiapas will finish their workweek at 1 p.m. on Fridays. Chiapas would be the first state to take action on the proposal, as the federal reform is still under discussion.

“We believe that a balanced work schedule will contribute to stronger communities and a better quality of life for public employees,” stated Governor Eduardo Ramírez Aguilar. The decree, signed on March 5, outlined the initiative’s purpose: to foster family time and promote social peace. 

The measure will apply to public sector employees within the state administration. Private sector workers and those in healthcare and justice will not benefit from this new schedule. This has raised questions about the measure’s implementation, particularly within critical institutions where longer working hours are often required.

The debate surrounding the 40-hour workweek was reignited when President Claudia Sheinbaum included it in her administration commitments on her first day in office. "I am confident that we will achieve this. In agreement with employers, we will gradually reach the 40-hour workweek during this presidential term," stated Sheinbaum as reported by MBN. 

The proposal seeks to bring Mexico in line with international labor standards. Several countries worldwide, including some in Latin America, have already implemented a 40-hour workweek, according to José Luis Sánchez, Deputy, PT. Additionally, discussions are underway in the United States to potentially reduce the workweek to 32 hours.