Mexico to Present 40-Hour Workweek Reform in November

Mexico’s federal government is preparing to introduce an initiative to reduce the standard workweek from 48 to 40 hours, a long-debated labor reform that could be formally presented in November by Marath Bolaños, Minister of Labor.

President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that an agreement has been reached between the Labor Ministry and the business sector to implement the reform gradually. The measure aims to align Mexico with global labor standards and promote a more balanced work environment while minimizing economic disruption. 

Reginaldo Sandoval, Coordinator, Labor Party’s parliamentary group, says there is no substantial reason for the proposal to stall, emphasizing that the maximum cost impact for companies would be about 6%. “The profit margins are much higher than that,” he adds.

The initiative is a matter of justice for Mexican workers, says Federal Deputy Pedro Haces. He points out that, among OECD member countries, Mexico has one of the longest average work hours, exceeding 2,200 hours per year. He also highlights that 64% of companies that have already reduced working hours reported an increase in productivity.

The reform is expected to be rolled out progressively, reaching the 40-hour target within five years, explains Haces. According to the government, consultations with employers, unions, and other social actors have been central to ensuring that the transition supports both competitiveness and workers’ rights.

The initiative comes amid a global shift toward flexible and reduced-hour work models. According to data from Indeed, many employers worldwide are adopting shorter workweeks to improve employee satisfaction and balance professional and personal life demands.

If approved, the reform would mark one of the most significant updates to Mexico’s Federal Labor Law in recent years, reshaping work dynamics across public and private sectors.