Mexico to Phase In 40-Hour Workweek by 2030

Mexico’s federal government will begin a gradual reduction of the workweek to 40 hours, with the transition expected to be completed by January 2030, according to Marath Bolaños, Minister of Labor and Social Welfare.

“Reducing working hours does not decrease productivity; it dignifies workers' lives by giving them back time and valuing the work they do,” says Bolaños.

The initiative follows instructions from President Claudia Sheinbaum and represents a response to what the administration considers a long-standing demand from Mexican workers. The policy is intended to advance Sheinbaum’s broader agenda for structural transformation.

The Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare will convene a series of forums across the country, inviting participation from labor unions, employers, and other stakeholders. These events aim to develop a national roadmap for transitioning to the new 40-hour standard.

“This historic change will be carried out through a dialogue process in which all voices will be heard. We continue making history!,” writes Bolaños on X.

Bolaños highlights that the process would be rooted in social dialogue, with the goal of building a fair and effective model that meets the expectations of the Mexican public. As part of the shift, the government aims to return eight hours per week to workers — time that, according to Bolaños, can contribute to national development, family well-being, and quality of life.

Legislators have been discussing a reduction of working hours during the past few years. In April 2023, the Constitutional Points Commission of the Chamber of Deputies approved a constitutional reform aimed at establishing two days of rest for every five worked, reports MBN. However, this proposal lacked a clear transition framework. That same year, the Chamber of Deputies held open forums to explore the feasibility of the proposal. However, after the LXV legislature concluded, the project was discarded. 

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," states Sheinbaum.