Background on the Mexican Government’s Initiative
The Mexican government aims to gradually reduce the standard workweek from its current 48 hours to 40 hours, promoting a healthier work-life balance for employees. To achieve this goal, Pedro Américo Furtado de Oliveira, Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Country Office for Mexico and Cuba, emphasizes the importance of establishing suitable rules and conditions for each sector.
Furtado de Oliveira’s Perspective
In an interview with El Economista, Furtado de Oliveira acknowledges the challenges of predicting the effects and obstacles of reducing work hours amidst a changing economic and labor environment. However, he anticipates positive outcomes for workers’ health and safety.
- Gradual Reduction: Furtado de Oliveira stresses that the reduction must be carefully implemented, with tailored measures for each sector. He believes that over time, this could potentially decrease informality in the labor market.
- Investment Considerations: He highlights the need to consider investments companies will make in each case for work hour reduction through new technologies and process automation, ensuring no negative secondary effects.
- Tripartite Dialogue: Furtado de Oliveira commends Mexico’s approach to promoting tripartite dialogue through technical tables, involving the government, employers, and unions.
Key Steps in the Process
On May 1st, Marath Bolaños, Secretary of Labor and Social Security (STPS), announced that dialogue tables would commence on June 2nd to gradually reduce Mexico’s workweek to 40 hours by 2030.
Prioritizing Industries and Occupations
Furtado de Oliveira emphasizes the importance of prioritizing industries and occupations that demand high physical effort or pose health risks to workers. The ILO representative recommends companies consider sectors generating significant physical strain, as this directly impacts workers’ health, performance, and productivity.
Aspects to Consider for Reform
- Health and Safety Promotion: Ensuring workers’ well-being should be a priority.
- Productivity and Sustainability: Enhancing business productivity and sustainability.
- Work-Life Balance: Improving the balance between work and personal life for families.
- Gender Equality: Addressing the needs of women, including maternity and lactation.
- Flexible Work Hours: Allowing employees to choose their work hours with the company.
Learning from Chile and Colombia
Chile and Colombia serve as examples of countries reducing work hours gradually, focusing on aspects like graduality, flexibility, and salary protection. Both countries aim to transition to a 40-hour workweek by 2028 (Chile) and 42 hours by 2026 (Colombia), ensuring workers’ salaries remain unaffected during the process.
