Mexico prepares for 40-hour workweek by 2030 in major labour overhaul
Al Jazeera
February 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Mexico’s ruling Morena party has successfully passed a bill to gradually reduce the standard workweek from 48 to 40 hours by 2030, marking a significant shift in labor policy. The bill, approved with strong support in Mexico’s Chamber of Deputies, faced criticism for potential loopholes that could undermine its impact. For example, employers may increase overtime hours, and the law does not change the requirement for one rest day every six workdays. Implementation will occur over the next decade, reducing two hours per year until 2030.
The reform aims to improve work-life balance in Mexico, which currently has one of the longest workweeks among OECD countries, with workers averaging over 2,226 hours annually. Despite these long hours, Mexico struggles with low productivity and wages, ranking last in both categories within the OECD. Roughly half of the workforce remains informal, lacking legal protections. Critics argue that the bill does not go far enough, particularly in addressing rest days and minimum wage issues.
The bill’s passage follows years of negotiations between Morena and business owners. Supporters, like Pedro Haces of Morena, emphasize dignity over exhaustion as a measure of productivity. However, opposition lawmakers, such as Alex Dominguez from PRI, criticize the reform for being incomplete and rushed. The bill now requires approval from two-thirds of Mexico’s state legislatures to take effect.
In contrast, Argentina is moving in the opposite direction, extending work hours from eight to 12 per day under a controversial labor reform championed by President Javier Milei. This reflects differing approaches to addressing economic challenges in Latin America. For Mexico, the shift toward a shorter workweek represents an attempt to address chronic issues of overwork and low productivity while balancing business interests.
This development matters globally as it highlights the ongoing debate over how to achieve productivity and economic growth without compromising workers’ well-being. Mexico’s reform underscores the importance of rethinking traditional metrics of productivity that often prioritize hours worked over worker welfare.
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/25/2026