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Nationwide Marches Press Mexico to Approve 40-Hour Workweek

Congress now faces a decision as the labor ministry finalizes a proposal that requires constitutional and labor-law changes.

Overview

  • Demonstrations were held in 32 cities, coordinated by the Frente Nacional por las 40 Horas and online organizers, to demand the cut from 48 to 40 hours per week.
  • In Mexico City, workers and unions marched from the Zócalo to the Senate urging immediate approval without a staggered rollout or pay cuts.
  • The reform remains under technical analysis by the Secretaría del Trabajo y Previsión Social, with no approved committee report or congressional vote to date.
  • Ricardo Monreal, who leads the Chamber’s coordination body, said the initiative could reach the Chamber of Deputies before December 15 with a possible vote in December.
  • Business groups push for a gradual transition potentially through 2030 and cite 15–20% higher labor costs and a possible 6.7% GDP hit, while unions call for a faster shift with two full weekly rest days.