Introduction to the New Labor Justice Model in Mexico
Just six years ago, Mexico implemented a new labor justice model, focusing on training specialized judges and magistrates in labor matters. However, with the ongoing reform of the power judicial, new challenges and candidates have emerged to fill these crucial positions.
Key Candidates and Their Roles
Darlene Rojas, a candidate for Minister on the Court and an expert in labor issues, explains that in November 2024, the Belisario Domínguez Institute of the Senate of the Mexican Republic conducted an analysis revealing that 60 magistrature positions and 76 judge and judgesspecialized exclusively in labor matters will be contested. It’s important to note that these figures do not include those who handle multiple matters, including civil, penal, administrative, and even amparo cases.
Challenges in the New Labor Justice Model
Establishing a new labor model six years ago has been a significant challenge. Diego Gatica, General Coordinator of Verification at the Federal Center for Labor Conciliation and Registration (CFCRL), has faced numerous hurdles, such as legitimizing 30,500 collective bargaining agreements and breaking away from labor corporatism. Gatica is now taking on a new challenge as a candidate for labor circuit magistrate.
Gatica’s Vision for Labor Justice
In an interview, Gatica emphasizes that labor judges require honorability, impartiality, and a deep understanding of the current labor reality. He stresses that merely reading contracts is insufficient; one must comprehend the workplace environment, as stated in the labor reform, where formalities should not overshadow justice.
Gatica aims to ensure labor freedom, not protect corporatist structures that have hindered workers’ rights for decades. He advocates for adhering to new legal criteria, accountability, and effective justice, reinforcing this transition through the Judicial Power.
Another Candidate’s Perspective
Fernanda Flores Caballero, a candidate for labor judge in Mexico City, highlights the enormous challenge facing labor matters due to the reform. The Second Sala in Mexico’s Supreme Court of Justice, which reviewed labor cases nationwide, will cease to function. This change poses a significant challenge, as pending relevant issues must be addressed before current labor ministers’ terms end.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are the key figures mentioned? Darlene Rojas, a candidate for Minister on the Court and labor expert; Diego Gatica, General Coordinator of Verification at CFCRL and candidate for labor circuit magistrate; Fernanda Flores Caballero, a candidate for labor judge in Mexico City.
- What is the new labor justice model in Mexico? It’s a six-year-old model focusing on training specialized judges and magistrates in labor matters, facing new challenges due to ongoing reforms.
- What are the main challenges for labor judges? They require honorability, impartiality, and a deep understanding of the labor environment. Their role is to ensure labor freedom and adhere to new legal criteria, accountability, and effective justice.
- What changes will the labor reform bring? The Second Sala in Mexico’s Supreme Court, which reviewed labor cases nationwide, will cease to function. This change poses a significant challenge, as pending relevant issues must be addressed before current labor ministers’ terms end.
