Background on the “Silla Law” and Its Importance
Starting this Sunday, the “Silla Law” becomes mandatory across Mexico. This legislation aims to ensure that workers have adequate seating options during their work hours, promoting better health and well-being. The law was initially proposed by Movimiento Ciudadano in 2023, and after its implementation in June of this year, it is now obligatory for companies to comply.
Ivonne Ortega Pacheco, the coordinator of Movimiento Ciudadano in the Chamber of Deputies, emphasized that this Sunday marks the end of the grace period provided by the law for companies to secure an adequate number of chairs with backrests for their employees’ regular rest periods. Ortega Pacheco highlighted that this law is a significant milestone for labor rights in Mexico, particularly in industries such as retail, private security, restaurants, and customer service.
According to INEGI data, approximately 3 million people work in occupations that require prolonged standing. The “Silla Law” could directly benefit their health and labor well-being by mandating regular seating during work hours.
Primary Objective of the Reform
The main goal of this reform is to safeguard the physical health of workers who stand for extended periods. Prolonged standing can lead to various health issues, including varicose veins, knee injuries, hemorrhoids, and plantar fasciitis.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Companies that fail to adhere to the “Silla Law” may face fines ranging from 250 to 2,500 times the UMA (Unit of Measurement and Update). In cases of repeated offenses, temporary suspensions of business activities could also be imposed.
The law mandates that employers provide sufficient seating options, such as chairs with backrests, for all workers in service, retail, and analogous workplaces. These seating options are essential for executing job functions or taking regular breaks during the workday.
For periodic rests, chairs with backrests must be placed in designated areas within the workplace. The “Silla Law” also aims to prevent employers from compelling employees to stand for the entire workday or to sit periodically during job performance.
Furthermore, the law intends to incorporate regulations within workplace internal rules, making regular breaks obligatory and establishing guidelines for workers’ rights to use seating options.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the “Silla Law”? The “Silla Law” mandates that employers provide adequate seating options for workers during their work hours to promote better health and well-being.
- When does the “Silla Law” take effect? The law became mandatory nationwide starting this Sunday.
- What are the penalties for non-compliance? Companies may face fines ranging from 250 to 2,500 times the UMA and temporary suspensions in cases of repeated offenses.
- Which industries are primarily affected by this law? The “Silla Law” mainly impacts industries such as retail, private security, restaurants, and customer service.
- What health issues can prolonged standing cause? Prolonged standing can lead to varicose veins, knee injuries, hemorrhoids, and plantar fasciitis.
