Mexico City – On May 1, 2025, the Mexican government officially launched the gradual transition to a 40-hour workweek, a major labor reform expected to be fully in place by 2030. The announcement was made by Secretary of Labor and Social Security Marath Bolaños as part of President Claudia Sheinbaum’s 100 commitments.
The new policy, which amends the Federal Labor Law, includes a maximum workweek of 40 hours, two mandatory days of rest for every five worked, and no reduction in wages. It aims to improve work-life balance in a country where, according to the OECD, the average worker logs 2,207 hours annually – one of the highest rates globally.
Implementation will vary by company size: large companies have six months to comply, medium businesses 1.5 years, small businesses two years, and microenterprises up to 3.5 years. A temporary subsidy program for smaller businesses will be created by the Ministry of Finance to help ease the transition.
Between June 2 and July 7, 2025, national forums will be held across several cities to gather input from workers, employers, academics, and civil society. The Ministry of Labor will use this feedback to guide the reform’s rollout.
Employees already working 40 hours or fewer per week will not be affected. However, with an estimated 45.3% of Mexican workers currently working between 41 and 50 hours per week, the reform is expected to bring significant change.
Originally proposed by Representative Susana Prieto in 2022, the initiative stalled in Congress but has now been revived through a phased and consultative approach. While widely welcomed, concerns remain about potential labor cost increases, especially for small businesses, and possible inflationary pressures.
The reform’s success will depend on consensus from the ongoing public consultations and the government’s ability to manage a smooth transition.
We need your support to keep Banderas News thriving. As more and more news outlets resort to paywalls, we remain steadfast in our mission to provide free, quality journalism to Puerto Vallarta residents and visitors. Your contribution helps us maintain this commitment and continue serving our community.
