Mexico Considers Expanding Mandatory Labor Holidays to 15 Days

A proposal submitted in Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies seeks to increase the number of mandatory paid holidays under the Federal Labor Law from nine to 15, signaling a renewed push to modify statutory rest periods and move Mexico closer to regional norms.

PRI Deputy Emilio Suárez, who introduced the initiative, argues that expanding mandatory holidays could help reduce workplace strain. He says that additional rest days can strengthen family bonds, ease caregiving burdens, and support workplace continuity by lowering absenteeism and burnout while improving retention and productivity.

Mexico recognizes nine official holidays under Article 74 of the labor law, though only seven occur every year. One is tied to national elections and another to the presidential transition every six years. The new proposal would add six dates: Flag Day (Feb. 24), International Women’s Day (March 8), a long weekend to commemorate the Battle of Puebla, a June observance recognizing the dignity of Indigenous peoples, an October commemoration highlighting multicultural identity, and Dec. 12 as a day honoring mestizo heritage. The reform also establishes new long weekends in May, June, and October. If approved, the changes would take effect on Jan. 1 of the year following their publication in the Official Gazette, reports El Economista. 

The initiative adds to eight previous proposals in the current legislative period that aim to expand the holiday calendar. Some sought to include Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Nov. 1–2 Day of the Dead observances. None have advanced to a final vote. The repeated attempts reflect an ongoing debate about rest periods in a country known for long work hours and limited paid leave compared with regional standards.

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), most Latin American countries establish between 13 and 14 official holidays each year. In 2024, Argentina and Chile each set 19, while Colombia and Brazil had 18. At the lower end, Bolivia, Ecuador, Honduras, and El Salvador recognized 11. Mexico, Paraguay and Nicaragua list nine official holidays, though the effective number can be higher because employers or institutions often grant additional days off not explicitly defined in the law.

In Mexico, such practices include giving workers time off during Easter, even though the dates are not listed as mandatory rest days. In 2024, these nonofficial observances brought the effective number of holidays for many workers to 14. Similar patterns appear in Paraguay, where Easter-related days and an additional day tied to Independence Day are widely observed, raising the effective total to 13. In Nicaragua, two additional days recognized locally in Managua increase the effective count from nine to 11. These comparisons have become part of the argument for updating Mexico’s legislation to reflect common regional practices.

Supporters argue that expanded holidays and flexible leave mechanisms could improve worker well-being. In Mexico, 75% of the economically active population report fatigue from work-related stress. This widespread problem is affecting both employee health and organizational productivity, highlights Body Systems. Employers may raise concerns about labor costs and operational disruptions, particularly in sectors that require continuous staffing.

The holiday expansion proposal now awaits review in the Chamber of Deputies’ committees, where lawmakers will evaluate its economic implications, potential alignment with regional standards, and operational impact on employers and workers. Debate is expected to continue in the coming months as legislators consider multiple reforms that seek to update Mexico’s labor framework.