Although it is not yet official, the recent proposal on the gradual reduction of the working day that was announced within the framework of Labor Day and comes from the Presidency of the Republic, has aroused some doubts in various sectors, this when facing the challenge of labor productivity and the economic value generated by workers for companies per hour.
After this announcement, which has the support of the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, it is important to clarify that it is in the process of analysis and must travel the corresponding legislative process for approval. Therefore, it is expected that this measure, if specified, will have a gradual implementation with the goal of being completed in its entirety until 2030 under the following scheme.
- 2025: 48 hours
- 2027: 46 hours
- 2028: 44 hours
- 2029: 42 hours
- 2030: 40 hours
It should be noted that, as indicated by the Presidency of the Republic, the Vacatio Legis period (the start time of the reform) will be more than a year and will require a modification in the Federal Labor Law, as well as the inclusion of transitory articles that define the specific deadlines for its implementation.
Perspective of workers and entrepreneurs
In the same way, we must point out that this change aims to offer more free time to workers so that they can enjoy personal, family or recreational activities, which is expected to obtain a better quality of life.
On the other hand, in the business field, it is essential to analyze a measure of this nature to identify how it will impact its operations, therefore, we propose the following reflections.
1. Affectation of the decrease in weekly hours to the productivity and operation of companies.
2. Hiring of more personnel to compensate for the reduction of hours or adopt automation technologies.
What is the context of your possible implementation?
Without dismissing that the proposal seeks to offer more free time to employees, it is important to contemplate mechanisms designed to avoid an opposite effect, since, one of the scenarios would put companies in the need to automate processes, which entails an investment for all sectors and business sizes, including small and medium -sized ones (MIPYME).
Additionally, this proposal adds to other reforms related to rest times during the working day. For example, the “chair law”, which will enter into force in June 2025 and establishes additional breaks for staff, except for security situations in certain industrial sectors.
It is important to recognize that both the hiring of more personnel, and investments in technologies or machinery to optimize working times, represent a change in operating costs for companies, which must be carefully evaluated to find mechanisms that make these measures viable without affecting productivity, which can happen if we analyze the experience of other countries and generate implementation scenarios to have data that gives certain data that gives certain data to all acts involved.
Importance of performing pilot tests. Practical case: Impact on the business sector2
Take advantage of the experience of a large retail chain in Mexico that decided to advance the legislative change and began a pilot program in 100 of its stores3 When applying a 40 -hour workday, you can throw some preliminary data to analyze more broadly.
According to the CEO4 From the chain, one of the most important learning focuses on the need to rethink some internal processes, in addition to exploring technological solutions and strategies to optimize tasks, although these measures could generate additional challenges related to employment.
Chain managers have indicated that participating stores continue to operate normally, suggesting that a 40 -hour workday does not compromise the essential operation of the business. However, it is important to consider possible effects on prices and customer experience.
We invite readers to initiate the analysis and study the legal, economic and social impact of this labor transformation, analyze how will affect the costs of the company and how will it have an impact on the prices of consumer products?
Approaches to resolve
It is essential to study thoroughly the impact of this labor reform, not only on large companies, but also in small and medium -sized companies (MSME), which represent 99.8%6 of the establishments in Mexico. The above considering that many of these companies do not have financial resources or technological capacities to absorb the impact of the reduction of the working day without affecting its competitiveness.
Do not forget that, of the total of establishments in Mexico, 95.0% are micro size (0 to 10 people occupied); 4.0% are small (11 to 50 people) and 0.8% medium (51 to 250 people).
Thus, the implementation of a 40 -hour day, although well -intentioned, represents a considerable challenge for companies, so generating alternatives and mechanisms that promote it in such a way that it is beneficial for workers and attractiveness for companies, is a parcel that can reach a good end when considering all its implications.
*CP PCFI Héctor Amaya Estrella is president of the Mexican Institute of Public Accountants
1With the collaboration of: CP Eduardo López Lozano
The opinions expressed are only the responsibility of their authors and are completely independent of the position and the editorial line of Forbes Mexico.
Follow business information and today in Forbes Mexico
