The reform to the Federal Labor Law establishes a gradual reduction of the working day in Mexico, going from 48 to 40 hours per week between 2027 and 2030. This modification is mandatory for all companies, prohibits salary reduction and adjusts the calculation of overtime.
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Gradual implementation of the new weekly working day in Mexico
On April 8, 2026, the Senate of the Republic ratified the ruling that transforms the country’s labor structure. After the signing of this document, a transition scheme designed to align the national market with international standards of occupational health and well-being is made official.
The regulations determine that the legal limit of hours worked will decrease in stages to avoid sudden impacts on productivity:
- January 1, 2027: The maximum limit is set at 46 hours.
- Year 2028: The working day is reduced to 44 hours per week.
- Year 2029: The limit drops to 42 hours.
- January 1, 2030: Consolidation of the 40-hour work week.
The period between May and December 2026 constitutes a technical adaptation phase. During these months, work centers must reconfigure their internal processes, since the reform will be automatically integrated into all individual and collective contracts in force in the national territory.
Overtime management and new salary protections
The control of excess time under the new legal framework will be strictly governed by the current limit of each year. Starting in 2027, the overtime count will start from hour 47; By 2030, any activity carried out after the 40th hour will be considered overtime and must be verifiable before the authorities.
Update table for extraordinary working hours
The Opinion of the United Commissions on Labor and Social Welfare specifies the maximum capacity of overtime allowed during the transition:
- 2026: Up to 9 extra hours.
- 2027: Up to 9 extra hours.
- 2028: Up to 10 extra hours.
- 2029: Up to 11 extra hours.
- 2030: Up to 12 extra hours.
Financially, the first 12 additional hours of the week will be paid 100% extra on the regular salary. If this limit is exceeded, payment must be 200%, with a limit of four additional hours allowed. It is imperative to note that overtime work is strictly prohibited for minors.
Sectors with greater impact and social benefits
Industries that have historically maintained long hours, averaging between 47 and 57 hours per week, will experience the greatest operational transformation. These include manufacturing, commerce, construction, transportation and agribusiness, as well as lodging services.
The reduction in working time will positively impact occupational health, reducing accidents and staff turnover. For women, this measure facilitates the conciliation between professional life and care tasks, mitigating the gap of unpaid double work hours. In vulnerable groups, the reform acts as a shield against psychosocial risks, promoting the right to rest and personal development.
Employer obligations and sanctions regime
Companies have no room to refute the application of these rules. The Ministry of Labor and Social Security (STPS) will supervise that there are no reductions in salaries or benefits as a result of the lower workload.
Unavoidable requirements for work centers:
- Implement mandatory electronic check-in and check-out records.
- Guarantee the availability of data for labor authority inspections.
- Comply with fines for non-compliance, which range between 250 and 5,000 UMAs.
International benchmarks: the success of hourly productivity
The Senate’s decision is based on global models where reduced working hours have led to more dynamic economies. Countries such as France (35 hours) and Germany (35 to 40 hours) demonstrate that working fewer hours does not compromise economic growth, but rather enhances efficiency per hour worked.
In Latin America, nations such as Chile and Colombia already execute similar transitions towards 40 and 42 hours respectively. The data collected by the legislative body confirms that these policies reduce absenteeism, reduce stress and encourage greater female labor participation, demystifying the direct relationship between prolonged physical presence and high production rates.
