Reducing the Work Week in Mexico: What's the Proposal and When Will it be Approved? ??

The Chamber of Deputies in Mexico is debating a proposal to modify Article 123 of the Constitution and reduce the work week from 48 to 40 hours, as well as add two additional rest days. The project to reduce the work week in Mexico from 48 to 40 hours has polarized public opinion, as it is being discussed not only in the Chamber of Deputies but also in the streets. While a good part of the population supports the measure, considering that Mexico has one of the highest rates of working hours, others have doubts about modifying the Federal Labor Law, last altered in 1917 with Article 123 of the Political Constitution. ??

The reduction of the maximum 40-hour work week is not the only amendment applied to this law during the current legislative session. It has also addressed other aspects such as expanding the vacation period, increasing proportionally to the years of seniority in the company up to a maximum of 30 days (currently it is a minimum of 12 vacation days). ??

Although the Board of Political Coordination (Jucopo) of the Chamber of Deputies was scheduled to resume discussion of the decree with reforms to Article 123 of the Constitution to reduce the work week from 48 to 40 hours between September 25 and October 1, so far there is no official date for the debate on the legislative initiative. ???

What is the Reform to the 40 Hour Work Week in Mexico?

Senator Patricia Mercado of the Citizens' Movement proposed the recently approved 'Dignified Vacations' reform, and a few months ago put a new labor reform on the table to reduce the number of working hours in Mexico. That is, the proposal seeks to modify Constitutional Article 123 to reduce the work week from 48 to 40 hours, with two rest days for every five days worked. ????

On April 26, 2023, the Constitutional Points Commission of the Chamber of Deputies approved - with 27 votes in favor and 5 abstentions - the decree to modify the Federal Labor Law. Although it was an initiative that required immediate attention, since that date it did not enter into discussion in the sessions, being left aside for more than four months, but on September 1 everything changed and it was resumed in the new regular session period. ???

Morena legislator Susana Prieto reported that the proposal for a new 40-hour work week is being discussed by the federal deputies that make up the Board of Political Coordination of the lower house. This would seek to schedule this important issue, specifies Debate. ??

What is Mexico's Current Labor Reform?

The Federal Labor Law establishes a 48-hour work week in Mexico divided into six days and with one rest day. "For every six days of work, the worker must enjoy at least one day of rest," establishes the Constitution. ??

What will happen if the new Work Week in Mexico is decreed?

For the labor reform to materialize, the first thing that must happen is for it to be approved by the Chamber of Deputies (which has already occurred), as well as by the Senate, which can modify it or return it to its original chamber. After that, it will require the approval of at least 17 states of the Mexican Republic.