Mexico’s Service Sector Warns Against 40-Hour Work Week

Companies in Mexico’s service sector are urging the federal government to reconsider its proposal to reduce the standard work week from 48 to 40 hours, warning that the move could cause significant financial strain.

Speaking at a public forum hosted by the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, Octavio de la Torre, president of the Confederation of National Chambers of Commerce, Services, and Tourism (Concanaco Servytur), said that reducing the workweek is neither applicable nor viable.

Although the proposed reform would be phased in over five years rather than implemented immediately, Torre argued that even a gradual shift is economically unsustainable for the service sector, according to El Economista.

Efforts to shorten the work week have been debated in Mexico for years. A bill introduced in 2023 faced resistance in Congress and was again delayed in 2024. While the legislation remains pending, newly elected President Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed strong support for its implementation.

Torre emphasized that the service sector faces unique structural, labor, and operational challenges compared to other industries.

Unlike manufacturing, where productivity is often tied to fixed working hours or automation, the commerce, services and tourism industries rely on consumer flow, extended business hours and availability during weekends, holidays and evenings, he noted.