Background on the Issue
In Mexico, the labor reform proposing a reduction in working hours from 48 to 40 per week has sparked concerns among business leaders, particularly in Nuevo León. The Confederation of Productive Sectors (Coparmex) and the Hotel and Motel Association of Nuevo León have expressed their apprehensions about the potential impact on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the tourism sector.
Coparmex Nuevo León’s Stance
Roberto Cantú Alanís, president of Coparmex Nuevo León, supports the progression towards reducing working hours but insists on a gradual implementation to avoid jeopardizing the competitiveness of businesses, especially SMEs that account for 70% of employment in the country.
Cantú Alanís emphasized, “On behalf of Coparmex Nuevo León and the national organization, we are in favor of continuing this process for the review of reducing working hours. We believe it’s essential to maintain a national average, while ensuring our businesses’ competitiveness remains intact.”
He further suggested, “We need a more phased approach. Three years seems too rapid; we should follow Chile’s example, which reduced its workweek from 48 to 40 hours over a longer period.”
Tourism Sector Concerns
José Manuel Ortiz Vázquez, director of the Hotel and Motel Association of Nuevo León, expressed disappointment that the tourism sector was excluded from the ongoing discussions. The industry operates 24/7, and regions heavily dependent on tourism require flexibility in labor regulations.
Ortiz Vázquez highlighted a common scenario: “In Monterrey, event organizers often request last-minute accommodations from businesses, requiring employees to stay late. We need clarity on how the federal government plans to address labor and tax regulations for such situations.”
Regional Context
According to a Bloomberg report, Latin America faces extended working hours, with 28% of Mexican workers exceeding 49 hours weekly. In contrast, the Dominican Republic has initiated a pilot program for a reduced 36-hour workweek from 44 hours.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is Coparmex Nuevo León’s position on the labor reform? Coparmex Nuevo León supports the reduction of working hours but advocates for a gradual implementation to protect businesses’ competitiveness, especially SMEs.
- Why is the tourism sector concerned about the labor reform? The tourism industry operates 24/7, and regions heavily reliant on tourism require labor regulation flexibility. The current proposal does not address these concerns.
- What is the regional context regarding working hours in Latin America? Mexico has a high percentage of workers exceeding 49 hours weekly, while the Dominican Republic is experimenting with a reduced workweek.
