Mexico's 40 hour workweek will only come into effect in 2030, critics say the legislation opens the door to 12 hour workdays and reduced overtime pay.

This article by Georgina Saldierna and Andrea Becerril originally appeared in the February 4, 2026 edition of La Jornada, Mexico’s premier left wing daily newspaper.

Mexico City. The Morena party in the Senate yesterday rejected claims that the reform to reduce the workweek to 40 hours is regressive, as the opposition asserts. “This is a presidential initiative that strengthens labor rights,” commented Enrique Inzunza, president of the Legislative Affairs Committee.

In response to questions from the coordinator of Movimiento Ciudadano, Clemente Castañeda, who insisted that two mandatory days of rest be established, the Morena member recalled that the reform is gradual, as agreed with the labor-business representation.

Inzunza stressed that it is also false that the provisions in the Constitution for the payment of overtime hours will be reduced, which will initially be paid at double, and if they exceed 12, at triple.

At the start of the ordinary session period, the possibility arose that the discussion of the secondary law would analyze the issue of two days of rest, which is not contemplated in the constitutional amendment, where what the Magna Carta establishes, of at least one day of rest per week, is maintained.

The Morena party member made it clear that his parliamentary group will support the Presidency’s initiative as submitted, since it is the product of many months of work and was achieved through responsible dialogue.

Regarding the critical path, he reported that next Tuesday the Committees on Constitutional Matters and Legislative Studies will meet with the Secretary of Labor, Marath Bolaños, and upon their conclusion, they will analyze and vote on the draft opinion. The intention is to pass the reform as soon as possible, he emphasized.

Previously, Castañeda considered the amendment to be regressive regarding labor rights and said that it “sells a pig in a poke,” since the reduction of the work week to 40 hours will not come into effect until 2030. In addition, only one day of rest is maintained, instead of two, as demanded by various social actors.

The Movimiento Ciudadano (MC) candidate held a press conference accompanied by members of the National Front for the 40-Hour Workweek. Érick Huehuetzin, a representative of the group, denounced the initiative, stating that it would pay overtime at double the rate, when it is currently paid at triple, and would legalize a 12-hour workday, when the current one is nine hours.

The senator from Jalisco argued that it would be a historic mistake to approve the proposal in the terms set by the ruling party, and therefore called for reflection.

“We say with all due respect to the majority: if they consider themselves a progressive movement, then what must be put first are the rights of the people and, of course, of those who drive this country, such as the workers of Mexico.”

He reported that he will formally propose to the Constitutional Points Commission the holding of a forum to hear the views of organizations, groups and specialists on the subject.

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