Lawmakers have returned the proposal to committees, and it will be discussed again next year.

The Chamber of Deputies postponed the debate on the floor to approve the 40-hour workweek initiative in Mexico once again. The intention is for the members of the Constitutional Points Commission to review and incorporate the conclusions from discussions on working hours and rest days in the Open Parliament, which was convened in October by deputies from the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), National Action Party (PAN), and the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD). According to PRI deputy Marcela Guerra Castillo, including the conclusions from the forums will strengthen their legislative argumentation.

The initiative to reduce the workweek from 48 to 40 hours amends Article 123 of the constitution and was proposed by deputy Susana Prieto Terrazas of the National Regeneration Movement (Morena). This initiative aims to have workers work a maximum of 40 hours per day instead of the current 48 hours, with the intention of increasing productivity, reducing stress, enhancing motivation, and improving physical and mental health.

After a series of debates and discussions, the final conclusions should be reached before December 15 (the end of the ordinary session), so within two weeks, the report must be modified in the commission for a vote and approval before being sent to the Directing Board.

However, Jorge Romero Herrera, the president of the Political Coordination Board (Jucopo), stated that as a constitutional reform, it is very complicated for the changes to take effect this year. Even if the Chamber of Deputies manages to approve the modification of Article 123, it will be very difficult to process and approve the bill before December 15.

Lawmakers are concerned about the impact of the 40-hour workweek initiative in Mexico on businesses

PAN, PRI deputies, and representatives of the business sector have been delaying the approval of the 40-hour workweek initiative, as they believe that medium and small businesses will be adversely affected. At the same time, PAN and Citizen Movement representatives stated that a study on the economic impact of the modification should be conducted before approval.

On November 28, youths from various groups protested in front of the Chamber of Deputies in Mexico City, closing Eduardo Molina Avenue to push for the approval of the initiative. During the demonstration, they chanted slogans such as “Here and there, 40 hours now!” and “Everyone should have the right to leisure, not just the deputies.” However, shortly afterward, a group of police from the City Security Secretariat tried to contain and repress them.