Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo announced that, following a consensus with the business, labor, academic, government, and civil society sectors, she will send the reform bill to the Senate to gradually implement a 40-hour workweek, beginning in 2026, reducing hours by two hours per year until reaching full implementation in 2030. This will benefit 13.4 million workers.
“It has been demonstrated worldwide. I recently read an article from one of the Nordic countries that even reduced the workweek to 36 hours because it has resulted in greater productivity for companies, including in the service, hospitality, and other sectors. That is why the decision was made to implement it gradually. Therefore, it does not imply higher costs for the business sector; in some cases, it may even lead to greater productivity. This is a consensus agreement,” she emphasized during her morning press conference, “Las Mañaneras del Pueblo” (The People’s Morning Briefings).
The Secretary of Labor and Social Welfare, Marath Baruch Bolaños López, explained that, as part of the President’s 60th of 100 commitments, the implementation of a 40-hour workweek will be a constitutional right for all workers.
He explained that the reform will be presented to the Congress of the Union for discussion and approval. It will then take effect on May 1, 2026, with the first two-hour reduction beginning in January 2027.
He detailed that the proposal entails a reduction that will take effect on January 1 of each year: It will take effect in 2026, establishing a transition period; in 2027, the workweek will be 46 hours; and in 2028, it will be 44 hours. In 2029, the number of working hours will be 42, and in 2030, it will be 40. He emphasized that the reduction in working hours does not imply a decrease in salaries or benefits. Furthermore, with these modifications, overtime for minors is prohibited for the first time.
During the regular workday, workers will have more rest time, and an adequate distribution of working time, as well as decent working hours, is guaranteed. Overtime work is permitted from 9 to 12 hours per week on a voluntary basis, which can be distributed in up to four hours per day, over a maximum of four days during that period. The prohibition of overtime work for minors is introduced, and a maximum limit of four triple-shift hours is established in the Federal Labor Law. In both work schedules, work cannot exceed 12 hours in a single day.
He noted that, to monitor compliance with the new 40-hour workweek in workplaces, employers will be required to electronically record working hours. This record will be issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, ensuring that regular and overtime hours are properly recorded.
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), the benefits of reducing working hours include: reduced fatigue and workplace accidents, improved occupational health and safety, a better work-life balance for employees, a lower risk of heart disease and accidental death due to reduced exposure to prolonged workdays, and improved self-care, including better nutrition, exercise, rest, socialization, and preventive medical care.
To discuss the reduction of the workweek to 40 hours, from June 19 to November 30, more than 40 working groups were held with the participation of 2,000 people, including business leaders, union representatives, academics, government officials, and members of civil society.
The president of the Business Coordinating Council (CCE), Francisco Cervantes Díaz, emphasized the importance of continuing dialogue with the Mexican government to negotiate conditions that benefit workers. Meanwhile, the president of the Labor Congress, Reyes Soberanis Moreno, pointed out that the 40-hour workweek represents a significant step toward social justice, as it is a reform that promotes the comprehensive development of workers.
Source: OEM
