The authorities of the Chamber of Deputies of Mexico are debating a proposal to reduce the working day from 48 to 40 hours per week. The initiative, presented by the federal representative Susana Prieto Terrazas (Morena), seeks to change Article 123 of the Constitution to establish two days of mandatory rest per week. This labor reform received support from workers but also raised concerns among employers. The proposal still needs to be approved by the Mexican Congress and it is not yet determined when it will become effective. However, if approved, it will have a major impact on the working lives of Mexicans. When will it be implemented? Read this note.
Although the Political Coordination Board (Jucopo) of the Chamber of Deputies is scheduled to continue discussing the opinion on the reform of article 123 of the Constitution to reduce the weekly working day from 48 to 40 hours during the week of September 25 to October 1, there are still many changes pending. It is argued that many aspects need to be examined for the benefit of the Mexican population.
In addition, the Political Coordination Board (JUCOPO) is the body of the Chamber of Deputies responsible for reaching a consensus on the opinions presented in the Plenary Session of the parliamentary groups. Currently, the reform of the working day is not included in the JUCOPO priority agenda.
In the next article prepared by Depor, we will inform you about the latest developments in this matter, including the date of the start of force and possible changes to this proposal aimed at reduced working hours, in addition to other improvements requested by both workers. in private and public companies.
What happens after the 40-hour workday is approved?
To make the labor reform effective, the process began with its approval by the Chamber of Deputies, a step that has already been completed. It must get approval from the Senate, which has the option of making changes or sending it back to the chamber of origin. Finally, the consent of at least 17 states of the Mexican Republic is required to be implemented.
Effective date of the 40-hour workday
Currently, this project has received the support of the committees, but it is still waiting for the most important approval, which must be given by the plenary session of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. For the reform to be effective, it needs the support of two-thirds of the legislators or a public discussion.
If there are changes, they must be voted on and approved. If it is confirmed without change in both chambers, it will be sent to the Executive branch and published in the Official Gazette of the Federation for its implementation.
What does the proposal to reduce working hours consist of?
The amendment to the Federal Labor Law aims to reform section A of Article 123 of the Political Constitution of Mexico regarding days of rest and the reduction of working hours. In this sense, it is proposed:
- Reduce the work week from 48 to 40 hours.
- Give two days rest for every five days of work.
How is the working day established in the Constitution?
According to section A of Article 123 of the Political Constitution of Mexico, two points of mandatory compliance are established (listed in Roman numerals I and IV):
- The maximum working day will be eight hours.
- Workers must have at least one day off for every six days of work.
Type of day Period of time covered by the day Total length of day
| DAY | This is the most needed and the schedule starts from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, which ends. | 8 hours. |
| Night shift | The guaranteed time is 8:00 p.m., and the end time is 6:00 a.m. | 7 hours. |
| Mixed day | It includes time intervals for day and night shifts, with the condition that the night period is not less than three and a half hours. If it consists of three and a half hours or more, it is considered a night shift. | 7 hours and 30 minutes. |
In which countries do workers work 40 hours per week?
The reduction of working hours leads to greater efficiency because quality is prioritized over quantity. In Mexico, employees have less time to spend with their families or to dedicate themselves to activities that promote their personal development. This restriction created discontent and contributed to the stagnation of the country’s employment growth. Below we list some countries that implement a work week of approximately 40 hours:
- deer
- Canada
- United Kingdom
- Australian
- New Zealand
- Germany’s
- France
- Spain
- Ecuador
- Italy
- Japan
- South Korea
- Brazil
- Mexico
- Argentina
- Chile
