This article by Arturo Sánchez Jiménez and Alonso Urrutia first appeared in the May 1, 2025 edition of La Jornada, Mexico’s premier leftist daily newspaper.
Mexico City. In the context of International Workers Day, President Claudia Sheinbaum announced this Thursday the beginning of the transition to a 40-hour workweek in Mexico. [ed – the transition is expected to take five years, to be implemented by 2030.]
The announcement was made during a luncheon at the National Palace with union leaders and representatives of workers’ organizations, where the president emphasized that this change will be driven by consensus and social dialogue.
She emphasized that the reduction in working hours will be part of a labor reform agreed upon by employers, unions, and workers.
“All of these major reforms that have been made in Mexico have been by consensus, and we want this one to also be a reform by consensus. That is why today we are opening the working groups,” the president stated.
The president made it clear that it will be important to agree on a clear path to making this change a reality. “It can’t happen overnight, but the important thing is how we are going to do it and that it be by consensus, that it be an agreement that allows us to truly achieve better conditions for workers.”
Sheinbaum took the opportunity to reaffirm her government’s commitment to the labor and social rights of the Mexican working class, in line with the principles of the Fourth Transformation: social justice, sovereignty, and democracy.
“Someone will say, well, maybe it’s not the best time. No, it’s always a good time, always, to defend the workers of Mexico, always.”
During her speech, the president also highlighted the achievements in labor matters in recent years: a substantial increase in the minimum wage, full recognition of labor rights with the elimination of outsourcing, progress towards decent pensions, union democratization, and new social housing policies for low-income workers.
Secretary of Labor and Social Security Marath Baruch Bolaños said that, under Sheinbaum’s instructions, the labor reform “will be carried out through a process of dialogue, in which all those involved will be taken into account. We will listen to the workers, as well as the employers.”
In this regard, the Secretary announced the convening of national consultation forums to be held between June 2 and July 7 of this year, organized by the Ministry of Labor in various cities across the country. Workers, employers, academics, and other stakeholders will participate in the forums to jointly design the path toward a new workday.
Bolaños emphasized that the reduction in hours does not imply a loss of productivity or generated value:
“Reducing working hours does not diminish productivity or reduce the value generated. What it does is dignify the lives of workers, giving them back hours of their lives.”
Finally, the official maintained that this policy embodies the spirit of “Mexican humanism” promoted by the current government:
“With this measure, we will be giving you back eight hours a week so you can use them as best suits you. We are convinced that by putting this free time in your hands, you will contribute to national development, the well-being of your families, and the happiness of each and every one of you.”