Mexico, notorious among OECD countries for its long working hours, has taken a significant step by approving legislation to progressively reduce the work week from 48 to 40 hours by 2030. The Mexican Ministry of Labor announced this historic transition on the 25th, highlighting the bill proposed by President Claudia Sheinbaum in December last year aiming to decrease work hours by two every year until the target is reached. It is estimated that around 13.4 million workers will benefit from this gradual reduction in hours.

The legislation was overwhelmingly supported in the Mexican Congress, receiving unanimous approval from 469 out of 500 attending members of the lower house on the 24th. After discussing the bill's details, it passed with 411 votes in favor and is expected to take effect in January next year, following majority approval from state legislatures. Lawmaker Pedro Ases from the ruling Morena party remarked that productivity should be measured not by fatigue but by dignity, emphasizing a broader shift towards valuing workers' rights.

However, the opposition criticized the bill for allowing an increase in the maximum weekly overtime from 9 to 12 hours and not introducing mandatory rest days, suggesting that it does not equate to substantial labor hour reductions. Currently, Mexico's average annual working hours stand at 2,193 hours, far exceeding the OECD average of approximately 1,736 hours, indicating severe work-life balance challenges. While other Latin American countries like Chile and Ecuador have implemented the 40-hour work week, the debate continues in places like Brazil and Argentina regarding labor hour regulations.