Chedraui workers launch strikes over tax deductions

Employees of the Chedraui supermarket chain have initiated labor strikes across several Mexican states, including Baja California, Mexico City, Estado de México, Veracruz, Quintana Roo, and Aguascalientes. Workers are protesting significant Income Tax (ISR) deductions, with some alleging that withholdings have exceeded half of their weekly pay.

Employees reported that the issues began after the company transitioned from biweekly to weekly pay cycles two months ago. Some workers claimed they received as little as 800 pesos after deductions of approximately 600 pesos. Protesters are demanding the return of the withheld funds, fair wages, and a return to biweekly payments.

Chedraui issued a statement explaining that the variations resulted from the accumulation of five pay weeks within a single calendar month. The company stated that while some workers initially received employment subsidies, the total monthly income exceeded the legal limit for such subsidies, necessitating a year-end ISR calculation. As a one-time compensatory measure, Chedraui authorized an extraordinary cash payment for affected staff and promised system adjustments to prevent recurrence.