Overview of July’s Labor Proposals
In July, the Mexican legislative labor agenda remained active with nine proposals presented in the Permanent Commission of the Chamber of Deputies. These proposals focused on pension calculations, new remunerated leaves, increased holidays, digital disconnection, and more.
Key Proposals in July
- Minimum Wage Pensions: A constitutional reform proposed by Deputy Manuel Cota (PVEM) aims to eliminate the Unidad de Medida y Actualización (UMA) as the basis for pension calculations and reinstate the minimum wage as a reference.
- Digital Disconnection for All: A reform to the Federal Labor Law (LFT) seeks to recognize the right to digital disconnection for all workers, not just those engaged in telework. It prohibits employers from contacting employees outside of work hours, on days off, or during vacations, except in cases of force majeure or serious situations threatening the business.
- New Remunerated Leaves: Two proposals were introduced to recognize new paid leaves. One from the Jalisco Congress aims to incorporate a six-month obligatory rest day for workers over 25 undergoing medical examinations for cervical and breast cancer prevention. Deputy Ernesto Núñez Aguilar (PVEM) promotes amendments to labor law for improved child rights, including a remunerated leave for working parents attending significant school events of their children.
- More Days Off: Deputy Gerardo Villarreal Solís (PVEM) advocates for a labor law reform to recognize Good Thursday and Friday of Holy Week as mandatory rest days for workers. Currently, labor law only acknowledges seven fixed holidays and two dates dependent on elections and executive power transmission.
Advanced Proposals and Future Discussions
The ordinary session period will resume in both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, likely reigniting discussions left unresolved.
Expectations are high for labor-related debates, particularly pension reduction, starting from September. The Secretariat of Labor and Social Prevision (STPS) has concluded public forums to gather proposals from businesses, unions, academia, international organizations, and experts to draft a gradual 40-hour workweek reform.
The STPS proposal is expected to be submitted in the early days of the new ordinary session. The Congress also has material for discussion, with 11 proposals already accumulated for workweek reduction, mostly targeting constitutional amendments.
Other pending matters cannot be dismissed, such as a labor law reform to ensure the minimum wage in service establishments and protect tips, along with senatorial recognition of bereavement leaves.
Key Questions and Answers
- What are the main proposals discussed in July? The key proposals revolve around pension calculations based on the minimum wage, digital disconnection rights for all workers, new remunerated leaves, and extending mandatory rest days to include Holy Week.
- What is the significance of these proposals? These proposals aim to update Mexico’s labor laws, ensuring fairer pensions, better work-life balance, and improved worker rights.
- What topics are expected to be discussed in the upcoming ordinary session? The primary topic is likely to be reducing the standard workweek. Other pending matters, such as ensuring minimum wage in service establishments and recognizing bereavement leaves, may also be addressed.
