Mexico industry prepares for gradual reduction in working hours

Mexican industry leaders are preparing for a gradual reduction in weekly working hours, aimed at reaching a 40-hour limit by 2030. Rodrigo Sánchez Espinosa, president of Industriales Potosinos A. C. (IPAC), clarified that the transition will be gradual and debunked rumors that a 40-hour week will be mandatory by 2027. He noted that micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) face the greatest challenge due to limited capacity to redistribute shifts and maintain efficiency.

In the northern manufacturing sectors, companies are responding to these regulatory shifts by focusing on process automation and reorganization. The goal is to achieve up to a 25% increase in productivity to absorb operational costs without raising consumer prices. Executives from Viakable and AmCham/Mexico emphasized the need to move from simple time management to strategic productivity and talent management.

Separately, the return to school has impacted the workforce, with a survey by Buk indicating that 73% of Mexican workers experience increased commute times. This seasonal shift has intensified demands for labor flexibility, with 85% of respondents stating that companies should offer flexible arrangements for employees with children, though a gap remains between employee desires and corporate culture.