Proposed Reform Seeks Changes to Mexico’s “Ley Silla”

Mexican legislators have introduced a bill to adjust the recently enacted “Ley Silla,” aiming to establish clearer parameters for workplace rest and expand the options employers have for compliance.

The initiative, led by PAN Deputy José Anaya, was filed just over two months after the law took effect. It seeks to define a minimum break period and allow benches with backrests as an alternative to individual chairs. Anaya argues that without such clarifications, companies face operational challenges. “We must avoid ambiguity that places the entire burden on employers to design rest schemes, sometimes without the technical means or facilities required,” he says.

The Ley Silla amended the Federal Labor Law to guarantee access to seating during work hours as a way to reduce risks linked to standing for long periods. Although the regulation marked a step toward recognizing rest breaks, it left for employers to decide how long those breaks should last, which has generated uncertainty.

Under the new proposal, employees who work standing would be entitled to at least five minutes of rest for every hour on their feet. Over the course of a standard eight-hour shift, this would amount to 40 minutes. The measure also specifies that such rest periods must be reflected in internal workplace rules. In terms of infrastructure, the bill broadens compliance options by recognizing benches as valid equipment for employee breaks, not only chairs.

Employers have pointed to a lack of precision in the government’s implementation guidelines, reports El Economista. The Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare issued instructions for applying the Ley Silla, but it did not set a universal time requirement. The Confederation of National Chambers of Commerce, Services, and Tourism (CONCANACO SERVYTUR) has said this gap could create inconsistent applications. The business group also estimated that in sectors where rest is granted more frequently, effective working hours could shrink by nearly a fifth.

Supporters of the reform contend that specifying rest times and equipment would reduce disputes and provide legal certainty for companies. “The application must be straightforward, not open to interpretation,” says Anaya.

The discussion around workplace rest highlights how Mexico is updating labor standards that have lagged behind those of regional peers. Countries such as Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay have long had rules ensuring seating and pauses during the workday. The Ley Silla placed Mexico closer to those practices, and lawmakers are now working to refine its application to balance worker protections with business operations.