Introduction
The year 2025 was marked by significant legislative efforts aimed at enhancing workers’ rights. Over 270 labor-related initiatives were introduced in the Chamber of Deputies, with several proposing new rights in the workplace. These discussions revolve around labor rights that are already established in other economies.
Key Proposed Labor Rights
Ley Vaso de Agua (Water Jug Law)
One of the most media-covered proposals in 2025 was the Water Jug Law, introduced by Senator Anabell Ávalos Zempoalteca (PRI) in March. The initiative aimed to make it mandatory for employers to provide potable water for employees’ consumption. This law would have applied to both private and public sector workers by amending the Federal Labor Law (LFT) and the Federal Law for Workers in Service to the State (LFTSE).
Mental Health Leave
Members of the Morena party in the Chamber of Deputies proposed adding the right to mental health leave, allowing up to seven days off per year. These leaves could be consecutive or non-consecutive and used twice a year, with a professional’s justification required. Countries like Chile, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and Spain have already advanced in this labor right.
Pet Care Leave
Senator Sasil de León Villard (Morena) advocated for incorporating pet care leave into labor laws. This proposal would grant workers two days per year to provide urgent care for their pets.
Donation of Vacation Days
Inspired by French legislation, a proposal was made to recognize vacation day donation in the Federal Labor Law. This would enable individuals to transfer vacation days to colleagues needing time for family care or to extend maternity/paternity leave. The proposal, led by Diputada Carina Piceno Navarro (Morena), included regulations such as only donating excess days (over 12) and managing the process through employers.
Grieving Leave
Two grieving leave proposals were presented in the Chamber of Deputies by Morena legislators to include employer obligations for at least five days off due to the death of parents, siblings, children, or spouse. One proposal aimed to extend this right to public sector workers, while the other offered three days for the death of grandparents or in-laws.
Resignation Due to Silent Dismissal
Towards the end of the ordinary legislative period, Diputado Armando Corona Arvizu (Morena) introduced an initiative to include silent dismissal as a valid reason for terminating employment without worker responsibility, entitling them to severance pay. Silent dismissal is defined as repeatedly deteriorating, isolating, or degrading work conditions to induce worker resignation.
Rest and Bonuses for Extreme Weather Conditions
Mid-year, the Baja California Congress sent a proposal to the Chamber of Deputies to include provisions in the LFT and LFTSE for employers to adopt protective measures for workers exposed to high temperatures. This included scheduled breaks, safety equipment, and environmental controls. Additionally, a compensatory bonus for working in extreme temperatures was suggested, ranging from 10% to 20% of the minimum wage.
School-Related Leave
Senator Laura Esquivel Torres (PAN) promoted parental/guardian work time for attending to children’s school matters. The proposal created a yearly bank of 16 hours, accessible up to four times per year without exceeding four hours per occasion.
Marriage Leave
Senator Sasil de León Villard (Morena) proposed a remunerated 10-day leave for workers getting married, applicable to both public and private sectors.
Application Status
Lastly, an initiative by Diputado Armando Corona Arvizu (Morena) aimed to address the practice known as “ghosting” by employers, who fail to inform job applicants about their application status within 45 days after a job interview.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the Water Jug Law? It’s a proposed law that would make it mandatory for employers to provide potable water for their employees.
- What mental health leave proposals were made? Morena legislators proposed up to seven days of mental health leave per year, justifiable by a professional’s note and usable twice annually.
- What does the pet care leave proposal entail? Senator Sasil de León Villard proposed granting workers two days per year to care for their pets urgently.
- How would vacation day donation work? Inspired by French legislation, this proposal would allow transferring vacation days to colleagues needing time for family care or extending maternity/paternity leave.
- What are grieving leaves? Proposals were made for employers to offer at least five days off due to the death of family members.
- What is silent dismissal? It refers to repeatedly deteriorating work conditions to induce worker resignation without formal termination.
- What protective measures for extreme weather were proposed? The Baja California Congress suggested scheduled breaks, safety equipment, and environmental controls for workers exposed to high temperatures.
- What school-related leave proposal was made? Senator Laura Esquivel Torres proposed remunerated time for parents/guardians to attend to their children’s school matters.
- What is the marriage leave proposal? Senator Sasil de León Villard proposed a 10-day remunerated leave for workers getting married.
- What is the application status initiative? Diputado Armando Corona Arvizu’s proposal aims to end the practice of employers failing to inform job applicants about their application status within 45 days after an interview.
