The adjustment to come: fewer hours, more questions
The Chamber of Deputies approved lowering the working day from 48 to 40 hours. Sounds good, right? Well, the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO) already has the scalpel on the table and points out that at least 11 economic sectors will feel the impact.
The change will be gradual until 2030. But ‘gradual’ is like saying that a train is going to run over you slowly: in the end, it will run over you. The IMCO warning is clear: there will be relevant changes in the organization of work and, of course, in costs.
Who bears the brunt?
The list is no surprise to those who know how this works here. The most exposed sectors are those where it is common to work more than 40 hours and more than five days a week.
- Extractive Industry: Here, 34% of workers work more than 40 hours. Imagine mines, wells… brutal rhythms.
- Transport and Communications: 31%. Truck drivers, delivery people, logistics operators.
- Commerce: 30%. From department stores to small businesses.
- Manufacturing Industry: 28%. The manufacturing heart of the country.
- Professional, Financial and Corporate Services: 26%. Offices that never sleep.
These are cold data from IMCO. Behind each percentage there are faces and routines that will have to be reconfigured. Or so they promise.
The reform passed with 411 votes in favor and 58 against. Now it travels to local congresses for validation. The Secretary of Labor, Marath Bolaños, presented this in December 2025 and it is expected to come into effect on May 1.
“It is expected to come into force on May 1”, as indicated by the secretary.
A perfect, symbolic timing. Labor Day. The question that no one asks at press conferences is: are companies ready? Or is this just another well-intentioned decree that will clash with the reality of payroll? Historical memory is full of labor reforms whose details were drowned in implementation. We’ll see if this one is different.




