Do they want us to work 48 hours? Let them start here
The discussion to reduce the working day in Mexico revealed a monumental contradiction. While it is debated to go from 48 to 40 hours a week, Citizen Movement deputies pointed out the irony: the same legislators who deny including two mandatory days of rest take six days of rest for each one they work.
“It is deeply hypocritical,” said Patricia Flores Elizondo from the stands.
Laura Ballesteros, a colleague on the bench, went further with a specific proposal: reform the regulations of Congress so that deputies comply with a minimum working day of 48 hours per week. With just one day of rest, of course. As millions of Mexicans do.
“Set an example, come to work, and work here 48 hours a week,” he demanded.
But the crux goes beyond simple schedule compliance. The criticism points to the heart of the matter: we are arguing wrongly and for the wrong reasons.
What we should really be talking about
Flores Elizondo made it clear: this should be a conversation about the right to live, not just to work. About the time lost in inhuman transportation, about labor informality that devours rights, about reconciling life and work.
“That is what the country needs, not this hasty ruling that they also do poorly,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, we continue with the same script: legislators discussing how others should live without applying even a hint of self-criticism. Next time you talk about productivity, maybe you should start by measuring yours.
