Mexico Senate Approves Reducing Work Week from 48 to 40 Hours

The reform will be phased in over the next four years.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Mexican Senate approved a constitutional reform to gradually reduce the work week from 48 to 40 hours over the next four years.

Why it matters

This reform aims to improve work-life balance and productivity for Mexican workers, following similar trends in other countries to reduce standard work hours. It reflects an ongoing global debate about the optimal work week.

The details

The reform will reduce the standard work week from 48 hours to 40 hours in a phased approach over the next four years. Employers will be required to adjust schedules and compensation accordingly.

  • The Mexican Senate approved the reform on February 12, 2026.
  • The 40-hour work week will be fully implemented by 2030.

The players

Mexican Senate

The upper house of the Mexican legislature that approved the constitutional reform to reduce the standard work week.

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What’s next

The reform will now move to the Mexican Chamber of Deputies for final approval before being signed into law by the President.

The takeaway

This reform reflects a growing global trend towards reducing standard work hours to improve worker well-being and productivity, though the specific implementation will be closely watched.