According to data from OECD 2024, Mexico is one of the countries with the longest working days globally, averaging 2,193 hours worked per year. This is significantly higher than the 1,736 hours worked in the average OECD countries and the 1,634 hours in Spain. Mexicans typically work 48 hours a week over a six-day workweek.
In light of these figures, one of President Claudia Sheinbaum’s primary objectives is to reduce working hours to enhance workers’ conditions and simultaneously boost the productivity of Mexico’s industrial sector. The emphasis on this reform underscores a shift towards a more sustainable work-life balance for the Mexican workforce.
The reduction of working hours will be a reality. In an interview with The Country, Labor Secretary Marath Bolaños indicated that discussions around shortening work hours have been in progress since 2022 but have faced delays due to prioritization of other essential labor reforms. This includes raising the minimum wage , reforming outsourcing , and establishing the Chair Law .
However, since May 2025, the current administration has actively pursued this initiative. Bolaños expressed a confident tone, stating, “Our goal is to ensure that by 2030 , all workers will be encapsulated within a 40-hour limit . While we have set January 2030 as our target, we could achieve this as early as 2029 .” This proactive approach reflects a unified desire for meaningful reform.
This dedication extends to the Chamber of Deputies , where as many as 16 reform initiatives concerning work hours have been submitted by various political factions, showcasing a commitment to labor reforms across the spectrum, as collected by The Economist.
What is the work day like? The Federal Labor Law (LFT) in Mexico outlines different types of work hours, each with specific limitations. The daytime shift , prevailing in most sectors, is set between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. , with a maximum daily duration of eight hours . Conversely, the night shift , which spans 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. , is capped at seven hours due to its nature. Lastly, the mixed shift accommodates both daytime and night hours for particular jobs, with a daily limit of seven and a half hours , as long as night hours don’t exceed three and a half.
How do they want to reduce it? A crucial element of this reform is the proposed amendment to section IV of section A of article 123 of the Political Constitution , presented by deputy Susana Prieto Terrazas. The current statute mandates one required rest day for every six days worked. The new proposal seeks to change this to two rest days for every five days worked while maintaining the maximum of eight hours per day for full-time work.
How it will be applied. In May, President Sheinbaum initiated dialogues among social agents, unions, business owners, and the government to explore effective strategies for implementing this change. Effective from May 1, 2026 , aligned with Workers’ Day , the final reform proposal is expected to be presented by the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare by November 2025. This timeline serves as a critical first step toward actualizing the proposed changes.
Sheinbaum’s plan delineates a gradual implementation strategy from 2026 through 2030, with a systematic reduction of hours: 46 hours in 2026, 44 hours in 2027, 42 hours in 2028, 41 hours in 2029, and achieving 40 hours by 2030.
Reduction in working hours, not salary. The proposed initiative draws parallels with Spain’s recent legislation, emphasizing that reduced hours shouldn’t come at the expense of employees’ wages. As stated by the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, “Cutting down hours does not translate to decreased productivity or diminished output; instead, it signifies respect for workers’ time and life outside of work.”
How it affects part-time work. This reform will also extend to part-time employees, adapting the changes based on their specific hours of work. For instance, employees currently working 24 hours per week (50% of a full-time schedule) may either maintain their hours at an adjusted salary or shorten their working week to 20 hours while still receiving compensation reflective of a full-time rate.
This proposed reduction in working hours, ultimately aimed at fostering a healthier work environment, reflects a significant shift in Mexico’s labor landscape, echoing a global trend towards prioritizing worker well-being alongside economic productivity .