Mexico's Chamber of Deputies approved the constitutional reform to reduce the work week to 40 hours, with gradual implementation until 2030. The proposal, driven by President Claudia Sheinbaum, received unanimous support in committees and sets rules for overtime and rest days. During the debate, Movimiento Ciudadano lawmakers criticized delays in other labor reforms and proposed extending deputies' work hours, an initiative that was rejected.
The Chamber of Deputies approved on February 25, 2026, the constitutional reform reducing the maximum work week to 40 hours, without changes and with gradual implementation until 2030. The initiative, presented by President Claudia Sheinbaum, was unanimously supported by the 61 deputies present in the committee session. According to the opinion, the reduction will be progressive: in 2026, 48 hours will remain; in 2027, it will drop to 46; in 2028 to 44; in 2029 to 42, and in 2030 it will reach 40 hours, without reduction in wages, salaries, or benefits.
Labor Secretary Marath Bolaños defended the gradual approach and announced work on an electronic system to monitor compliance. The reform states that for every six days of work, workers will have at least one day of rest with full pay. For overtime, it will be paid at 100 percent additional, not exceeding 12 hours weekly distributed in up to four hours daily over a maximum of four days. If that limit is exceeded, payment will be 200 percent additional, and overtime is prohibited for those under 18.
During the particular discussion, Movimiento Ciudadano (MC) deputy Laura Ballesteros presented a reservation for deputies to work 48 hours a week with verifiable attendance and one non-accumulable rest day. 'Set the example, come work 48 hours a week like millions of workers in this country do,' said Ballesteros. However, Morena and its allies rejected the proposal, so it was not admitted.
Likewise, MC deputy Pablo Vázquez Ahued recalled during the debate that the dignified salaries reform, approved in 2024, remains 'frozen' despite endorsement by the Chamber of Deputies on September 24, the Senate on October 9, and 31 state congresses. This amendment seeks to guarantee a base salary close to 19,000 pesos monthly for teachers, doctors, nurses, police, and Armed Forces members, equivalent to the IMSS average, but it has not been published in the Official Gazette of the Federation due to its estimated annual budgetary impact of 40 billion pesos. Vázquez Ahued described it as 'a noble, very important reform that benefits nearly three million Mexicans'.
