With the arrival of 2025, important labor reforms are on the horizon in Mexico, according to recent statements by President Claudia Sheinbaum and Morena legislators. Among the proposals that could be approved are the Silla Law, the reduction of the working day, the increase in the bonus and the increase in the vacation bonus. These modifications seek to improve the conditions of workers in the formal sector.
The Chair Law
One of the most advanced reforms is the Silla Law, which has already been approved in both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. However, to become a reality, at least 17 local congresses must ratify it, something likely given that Morena and its allies dominate the majority of state legislatures.
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The Chair Law aims to guarantee that workers, especially those in service and tourism companies, have chairs with backrests and can use them during their work day. Although current laws They require employers to have sufficient seats, they do not specify that these can be used during work.
Reduction of working hours
Another important change is the possible reduction of the weekly working day from 48 to 40 hours. Claudia Sheinbaum announced that this topic will be discussed in 2025, starting with a sectoral analysis and working groups coordinated by the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS).
The initiative, proposed in 2023 by former Morenoist representative Susana Prieto, seeks to grant workers two days of rest per week. Currently, this reform is under review in the Chamber of Deputies and its implementation is expected to be gradual to avoid negative impacts on the economy and companies.
Increase in bonus
Among the reforms with the greatest potential impact is the increase in the bonus from 15 to 30 days of minimum wage. This modification to article 87 of the Federal Labor Law (LFT) aims to double this benefit for workers in the formal sector, who receive this benefit every December.
Currently, the article states: “Workers will have the right to an annual bonus that must be paid before December 20, equivalent to at least fifteen days of salary.” The Labor and Social Welfare Commission, installed on November 5, 2024, analyzes this proposal along with other priority labor initiatives.
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Increase in vacation bonus
Another reform that is pending in Congress is the increase in the vacation bonus. Currently, workers receive 25% of their daily salary for each day of vacation. The proposal seeks to double this percentage to 50%, which would significantly increase income during rest periods.
Legislative priorities for 2025
According to representative Julia Arcelia Olguín Serna, from Morena, the aforementioned reforms will be among the priorities of Congress for 2025. In an interview with El Economista, the legislator highlighted that issues related to digital platforms and labor informality will also be reviewed.
“We will give special attention to initiatives that have already been presented, such as the increase in the bonus, the reduction of working hours and the vacation bonus, as well as overtime and other relevant issues for workers,” he pointed out.
If these reforms come to fruition, 2025 could mark a significant change in labor rights in Mexico, improving the quality of life and working conditions for millions of workers. However, its approval will depend on political consensus in Congress and its adequate implementation to avoid imbalances in the productive sector.
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