Mexico City – A proposal to shorten Mexico’s work week by eight hours and bring it down to 40 hours is unlikely to be approved before the end of the year. This means that discussions on the bill will be postponed until February 2024 when Congress convenes again.
The constitutional overhaul has encountered resistance from both business sectors and the center-right opposition National Action Party. When asked about the bill, President Lopez Obrador emphasized the need for extended deliberation, stating, “Let’s have more time and invite everyone in and review what’s happening in other countries. With more listening and setting out of reasons.”
Lawmaker Juan Robledo, who heads one of the committees responsible for reviewing the legislation, confirmed that there was no longer enough time to pass the bill in 2023. “This has to be a well-thought-out initiative, and we have to be very careful,” he said.
Despite passing one lower house committee in April, the bill, presented last year, faced setbacks due to concerns raised by business representatives. Forums were subsequently established to broaden discussions on its implications.
Employers have urged Congress to implement the changes gradually to avoid harming industries with tight labor markets. They also argue that the legislation could create financial difficulties for small and medium-sized businesses.
Esperanza Ortega, president of the business association Canacintra, estimates that reducing the working week could increase costs by between 10-20%. “This will impact the final consumer,” she said, emphasizing the importance of raising productivity if working hours are reduced.
Lorenzo Roel, head of the labor commission at Mexico’s powerful CCE business lobby, believes that the legislation could require companies to hire an additional 2.6 million workers at reduced hours, incurring an extra $20 billion in expenses.
The delay in the working week reduction bill has sparked various reactions from different sectors of the Mexican population. Some workers have expressed disappointment, while others remain hopeful that the legislation will eventually pass in 2024. Businesses are cautious about the potential impact of the bill, but they are open to dialogue and collaboration to find solutions that benefit both workers and employers.
The future of the working week reduction bill remains uncertain. However, the coming months will be crucial for gathering more data, engaging in constructive dialogue, and finding common ground between the various stakeholders involved. Ultimately, the goal is to create a work environment that promotes both productivity and well-being for all.