For millions of Mexicans, the workday begins before sunrise and ends long after dark. The idea of clocking out after eight hours can feel like a distant dream. This is why a proposal to change Mexico’s official workweek from 48 to 40 hours has ignited one of the country’s most heated political debates in years.
The initiative also aims to strictly enforce the payment of overtime as a fundamental right to improve the quality of life in a nation known for its grueling work culture.
Currently, Mexican law defines the maximum workweek as 48 hours, spread over six days. While the law mandates double pay for hours beyond this, unpaid overtime is the norm in practice, especially in informal and low-wage jobs.
The proposed reform would establish 40 hours over five days as the new standard, with any time beyond that paid at 100% overtime from the first extra hour, rising to 200% after nine extra hours. Supporters argue that these standards would align Mexico with global standards, but opponents warn that it could cripple businesses.
Some new workplace rules have been implemented, such as the ley silla (chair law), which recognizes workers’ right to sit during their workday, but only if their duties permit it without interfering with normal operations. But the rule has become somewhat of a joke online, with thousands of social media posts pictured partially broken plastic chairs cordoned off with tape, sign-in sheets, and, in many cases, even cameras to make employees feel watched. The message sent by employers is clear: we will comply with the law, but not with its spirit.”
The controversy is fierce because it strikes at the heart of Mexico’s economic model. On one side are the supporters: labor unions and a growing number of young professionals. The issue is framed as one of dignity, health, and family. They point to data showing that long hours lead to burnout, stress-related illness, and less time for family and community. Advocates of reform also argue that a shorter week could actually boost productivity, as seen in other countries, and create more jobs by forcing employers to hire additional staff to cover shifts.
Frustration is especially loud among young workers who have formed social media communities explicitly about poor working conditions. One example is the subreddit r/lacamiseta, which draws on the expression “ponte la camiseta,” which roughly means to be a team player. The subreddit is full of photos and videos of terrible work environments, stories of crazy or illegal requests from employers, and plenty of comment threads about government betrayal over the unfulfilled promise of the 40-hour workweek.
Arrayed against workers’ interests are powerful business groups, particularly representing small and medium-sized businesses, which form the backbone of the Mexican economy. Their opposition is grounded in fear of cost. They argue that a sudden shift to a 40-hour workweek, with its strict overtime rules, would dramatically increase payroll expenses. Chambers of commerce argue that companies would be forced to cut jobs, reduce salaries, or even close down. They contend that Mexico’s economy, still developing and competing with lower-wage countries, cannot absorb such a shock without severe consequences. The debate is often framed as workers’ well-being versus business survival.
The urgency of this reform becomes clear when Mexico’s work habits are compared internationally. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Mexican workers log some of the longest average annual hours in the world, consistently ranking near the top, far above countries like Germany, France, or even the United States. Yet this immense investment of time does not translate into proportional economic productivity or higher wages for most people.
Compounding this issue is Mexico’s paltry vacation allowance. By law, a first-year worker is entitled to only six paid vacation days, with that number increasing slowly with seniority. This is among the lowest statutory minimums in the OECD, where the average is around 20 days. When combined with the long workweek, it paints a picture of a workforce with precious little time for rest, leisure, or personal life.
Beyond the immediate debate, the 40-hour workweek proposal opens the door to broader conversations. One is the vast informal economy, where over half of Mexican workers labor without contracts or legal protections.
Any new law would be difficult to enforce in this sector, potentially widening the gap between formal and informal workers. According to the latest data from Mexico’s national statistics agency, INEGI, approximately 54.6% of the country’s workforce is engaged in informal labor in the first quarter of 2024. This figure translates to roughly 32.5 million people out of a total employed population of about 59.5 million.
INEGI defines informal employment broadly, encompassing workers in unregistered businesses and employees by formal companies who pay them “under the table,” thereby denying them access to programs such as social security, pension contributions, and housing credits. This last group highlights that informality can exist even within otherwise legal businesses.
Another idea is a more gradual transition, perhaps reducing the workweek to 45 hours first, to allow businesses time to adapt. Some also argue for linking the reform to more vigorous enforcement of existing labor laws, as without robust inspection systems, even a 40-hour law could be ignored.