Constitutional Reform: Progressive Reduction of the Workweek to 40 Hours in Mexico

Mexico has concluded the legislative process approving the constitutional reform that progressively reduces the statutory workweek to 40 hours. This marks a structural shift in the country’s labor framework after several years of public and legislative debate.

This is not a minor adjustment. It requires operational, financial, and contractual planning well in advance.

What Is Changing?

1. New statutory workweek

The ordinary workweek will be 40 hours. For every six working days, employees are entitled to at least one full day of rest with full pay.

2. Gradual implementation

The reduction will be phased in until 2030 as follows:

• 2026: 48 hours per week

• 2027: 46 hours

• 2028: 44 hours

• 2029: 42 hours

• 2030: 40 hours

3. General application

The reform applies to all companies and all positions. It may not result in any salary reduction.

4. Overtime rules

• Overtime must be paid at a 100% premium over the ordinary hourly rate.

• It may not exceed 12 hours per week, distributed up to 4 hours per day and no more than 4 days per week.

• Overtime exceeding those limits triggers a 200% premium under applicable law.

• Individuals under 18 years of age may not perform overtime work.

5. Legislative harmonization

As a constitutional amendment, Congress must amend the Federal Labor Law within 90 days following publication of the decree in the Official Gazette (expected May 1, 2026).

2026: A Strategic Transition Year

During 2026, the maximum workweek will remain at 48 hours. Companies should treat this as a regulatory transition phase.

Key areas requiring review include:

• Shift structures

• Labor cost modeling

• Productivity alignment

• Employment agreements

• Internal policies and compliance exposure

Reducing the workweek is not merely a matter of adjusting schedules. It directly impacts cost structures, operational design, and risk management.

How to Prepare

At UPLAW — The Legal Company, we recommend using 2026 to conduct a comprehensive preventive review and design a structured implementation strategy that mitigates labor, financial, and operational risks.

If your organization needs to assess the specific impact of this reform and prepare a transition plan, we are ready to assist. Request your initial assessment here.