Mexico deputy proposes three days of paid leave for pet bereavement

A Mexican federal deputy from the Morena party, Rosa Alejandra Rodríguez Díaz de León, has proposed a reform to the Federal Labor Law (LFT) to grant workers three days of paid leave following the death of a pet. The initiative seeks to modify Article 132 of the law to include this leave as a mandatory employer obligation.

To qualify for the leave, the worker must demonstrate that the animal was under their direct care and provide a death certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian. The proposal argues that the loss of a companion animal can cause significant emotional distress, including anxiety, insomnia, and difficulty concentrating, which may temporarily impact job performance.

Legislators noted that approximately 70 percent of Mexican households own at least one pet, highlighting the widespread impact of such losses. The proposal uses the concept of ‘unauthorized grief’ to describe the emotional toll of losing a pet, which often lacks social or legal recognition. The initiative must now undergo review by congressional commissions before being voted on by the Chamber of Deputies.