Mexico announces plans to reduce maximum working hours

Mexico has announced plans to gradually reduce legal maximum working hours from 48 to 40 hours per week. The proposed change aims to improve employee wellbeing and align the country with international labor standards. While the government intends to fully implement the 40-hour workweek by January 2030, it has not yet specified when the gradual rollout will begin.

Background

The proposed gradual reduction in maximum working hours was announced by the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare on 1 May 2025. The government subsequently convened public consultations in June and July 2025 to discuss the proposed change with representatives from labor unions, employers, academics, and civil organizations.

The Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare is expected to submit a draft bill during parliament’s current legislative session which commenced on 1 September 2025.

Key details

The Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare has stated that the proposed 40-hour workweek is expected to be reached by January 2030. However, the precise method of the gradual reduction in maximum working hours from 48 to 40 hours per week hasn't been defined at this time.

Employment law experts from Ius Laboris have estimated (opens a new window) that the reduction could potentially be implemented at a rate of two hours per year starting in 2027, as follows:

Employer action: PREPARE TO ACT

The proposed reduction in maximum working hours will have an impact on employers’ operational and manpower arrangements. However, for some sectors with collective agreements that already provide for maximum working hours of 40 hours, the impact of the proposed reduction will be limited.

It is essential that employers start identifying potential effects of the proposed reform on productivity and staffing, as well as solutions to mitigate such effects. In cases where it is necessary for workers to work beyond the maximum working hours, the additional costs associated with overtime pay, the maximum overtime allowed, and prohibitions on labor exploitation, such as forced labor, must be considered.

As the proposed reform has yet to be submitted to parliament, it remains subject to potential changes and employers should monitor the legislative process. Once the draft bill is released, the Lockton Global People Solutions Compliance Practice will update this article accordingly.

In collaboration with Jorge De Presno, David Puente Tostado and Luis Alvarez of Basham, Ringe y Correa S.C.

Further Information

On Labor Day, President Claudia Sheinbaum announces dialogue tables to implement, by consensus, the 40-hour workweek | Presidency of the Republic | Government | gob.mx (opens a new window)