Mexico City – Mexico’s first woman president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has announced an ambitious plan to increase the country’s minimum wage by around 12% each year, starting next year. This proposal, which aligns with the wage hikes of her predecessor, seeks to improve the livelihoods of millions of Mexican workers, many of whom earn minimum wage or less.
Currently, the minimum wage in Mexico stands at 248.93 pesos ($12.81) per day. Sheinbaum’s goal is to raise it enough to cover 2.5 basic food baskets, an increase from the current 1.6. Her administration plans to implement this gradual rise year after year, with the aim of improving purchasing power and overall quality of life.
Around 40% of Mexico’s workforce currently earns minimum wage or lower, with informal labor being widespread. The president’s focus on wage increases and labor reforms reflects her commitment to addressing this issue, following in the footsteps of former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who oversaw significant wage hikes during his tenure. Under his administration, the minimum wage rose by 20% in both 2023 and 2024.
In addition to wage increases, Sheinbaum has proposed a major labor reform to reduce the workweek from 48 to 40 hours. Although her predecessor attempted to pass this legislation, it faced opposition and ultimately failed. Sheinbaum, however, is determined to see it through, with support from the ruling MORENA party and its allies.
Sheinbaum’s administration is also focused on gender equality, with plans to introduce reforms that guarantee equal pay for equal work. This aligns with her broader efforts to strengthen women’s rights across the country.
By pursuing these initiatives, President Sheinbaum is pushing for a fairer, more equitable Mexico, where workers’ rights and well-being take center stage.