The Silla Law: An Overview
The Silla Law is a reform to the Federal Labor Law (FLL) that acknowledges the right to rest on a chair with a back during working hours, as its name suggests. This regulation came into effect in two phases and became fully enforceable on December 14, with non-compliance leading to fines of up to 565,700 pesos per affected worker.
Key Provisions of the Silla Law
The FLL reform mandated employers to provide employees with seating for periodic rest during working hours and prohibited employers from keeping their staff standing for the entire work schedule, denying them breaks. These provisions were integrated into the Federal Labor Law in Article 132, fraction V, and Article 133, fraction XVII Bis.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
According to labor legislation, penalties can be imposed per affected worker, and employers cannot escape compliance obligations.
Upcoming Inspections
The likelihood of penalties for Silla Law non-compliance is high, given the widespread failure to comply with the regulation. The STPS (Federal Tax Administration Service) has announced that it will include verification of compliance with Silla Law obligations in its Annual Inspection Program for 2026.
“This will enable the accompaniment of workplaces in correctly implementing this normative change, ensuring conditions that favor the health, rest, and prevention of workplace risks for all working individuals,” stated the STPS in a press release.
The STPS has clarified that the Silla Law applies to all workers, regardless of their industry. The nature of work only determines whether the worker can rest while seated or if a specific seating arrangement for rest is required.
Sector-Specific Exhortation
The STPS urged employers in the industrial, commercial, and service sectors to “strictly comply with the new obligations, considering that these measures strengthen risk prevention, reduce fatigue and musculoskeletal injuries, and contribute to the well-being and productivity of working individuals.”
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the Silla Law? The Silla Law is a reform to Mexico’s Federal Labor Law that guarantees workers the right to rest on a chair with a back during their working hours.
- When did the Silla Law take effect? The Silla Law came into effect in two phases, with full enforcement beginning on December 14, 2025.
- What are the penalties for non-compliance? Non-compliant employers may face fines of up to 565,700 pesos per affected worker.
- Which sectors are subject to the Silla Law? The Silla Law applies to all working individuals, regardless of their industry. However, the STPS specifically urged compliance in the industrial, commercial, and service sectors.
- What is the purpose of the Silla Law? The Silla Law aims to ensure workers’ health, prevent workplace risks, and reduce fatigue-related injuries by guaranteeing periodic rest during working hours.
