Introduction to the Forums on Workweek Reduction
The Secretariat of Labor and Social Prevision (STPS) has officially announced the commencement of dialogue forums on June 2nd to analyze the reduction of the standard 40-hour workweek. These forums will conclude on July 7th, aiming to construct a gradual and phased approach towards a 40-hour workweek, as stated by STPS head Marath Bolaños.
Legislative Interest and Existing Proposals
In the legislative sphere, there is a growing interest in this topic. The Chamber of Deputies has accumulated ten projects during the current legislature that aim to reduce working hours. Unlike the 2023 dictamen, most new proposals include a gradual transition period.
Seven-Hour Shifts Proposal
In the previous month, a novel initiative was introduced that seeks to adjust working hours through amendments to the Federal Labor Law (LFT) rather than the Constitution. Deputy José Alberto Benavides Castañeda (PT) is advocating for a modification in secondary legislation to cap all work hours at seven per day.
Benavides Castañeda acknowledges the complexity of this issue, stating that the adjustment should be made through secondary legislation to expedite the legislative process. His proposal includes a one-year implementation period, resulting in a reduction to 42 hours instead of the desired 40-hour workweek.
Gradual Transition Periods
Other proposals have also considered a gradual transition, with periods ranging from six months to one and a half years for reform implementation.
- Diputada Evangelina Moreno Guerra (Morena) proposes the shortest transition period of one day following promulgation, with 180 days for the Congress to adjust secondary legislation.
- Diputado Napoleón Gómez Urrutia (Morena) suggests a 365-day transition period for the reform to take effect.
- The PVEM initiative proposes a 365-day period from the reform’s publication in the Federal Register (DOF) for adjustments to secondary legislation.
International Context and Lessons Learned
Gradual transitions and social dialogue have been hallmarks of workweek reduction in other countries, such as Chile and Colombia. Both Latin American nations recently reduced working hours by following similar paths.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main objective of these forums? The primary goal is to construct a gradual and phased approach towards a 40-hour workweek.
- How many working hour reduction proposals exist in the Chamber of Deputies? There are ten projects during the current legislature aiming to reduce working hours.
- What is the main difference between current proposals and those from 2023? Most new proposals include a gradual transition period, unlike the 2023 dictamen.
- What is Deputy José Alberto Benavides Castañeda’s proposal? He advocates for capping all work hours at seven per day through amendments to the Federal Labor Law, with a one-year implementation period.
- What are the proposed transition periods for workweek reduction reform? Transition periods range from one day (Morena) to 365 days (PVEM), with adjustments to secondary legislation within these timeframes.
- How have other countries approached workweek reduction? Chile and Colombia followed similar gradual transition paths when reducing working hours.
