Mexico Senate Approves Bill to Reduce Work Week from 48 to 40 Hours

The reform will be implemented gradually over the next four years.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Mexican Senate has 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 quality of life for Mexican workers, bringing the country more in line with international labor standards. It could also impact productivity and competitiveness for Mexican businesses.

The details

The reform will reduce the standard work week from 48 hours to 40 hours, to be implemented gradually over the next four years. This change is intended to improve working conditions and quality of life for Mexican employees.

  • 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 Congress that approved the constitutional reform to reduce the work week.

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What’s next

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

The takeaway

This reform represents a significant shift in Mexican labor policy, prioritizing worker well-being and aligning the country more closely with international labor standards. It could have wide-ranging impacts on businesses and the economy.