Mexico’s federal government, led by Labor Secretary Marath Bolaños, has introduced a reform proposal to gradually reduce the workweek from 48 to 40 hours, starting in 2027 with a two-hour annual reduction until 2030. The initiative, which requires constitutional approval, will be submitted to the Senate after technical talks with business leaders, unions, and specialists. President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized that the plan enjoys unanimous support from government, unions, and the private sector.
While unions welcome it as a measure of social justice, some business groups initially expressed concerns about potential costs and staffing impacts. After consultations, the private sector agreed that the phased reform “can be implemented without harming productivity,” El Universal reported.