MEXICO: Annual Update – Expected Labour Law Changes in 2017
Minimum wage
Minimum wage increase:Â Â The daily minimum wage for general workers has increased from 73.04 Mexican pesos to 80.04.
The National Minimum Wage Committee may make a further increase during 2017 to hit the target minimum wage of 89.35 Mexican Pesos.
Action required:
(1) Ensure payroll practices are adjusted if relevant.
(2) Keep monitoring the situation to keep track of any additional increases.
Labour justice system
Proposals to create new dispute forums:Â Â A Bill was issued on April 28, 2016 proposing the following amendments to the labour justice system:
- to abolish Conciliation and Arbitration Boards;
- to implement a new system of Collegiate Federal and State Labour Courts; and
- to introduce a new Federal Agency for Labour Conciliation, Union and Collective Bargaining Agreement Registration, as well as Local Conciliation Agencies.
The Bill has been approved by the Senate and the House of Representatives. Final approval must come from the State Legislatures, and is expected early in 2017.
Action required: None at the moment, but keep track of how the legal situation develops.
Federal labour laws
Enhancement of trade union rights:Â Â Amendments to Federal law have been proposed to improve workers’ ability collectively to bargain via a trade union of their choice. The amendments are pending approval.
The proposals include a prohibition on employers from entering into collective bargaining agreements with employer friendly / inactive unions.
The amendments are expected to take effect in 2017.
Action required: None at the moment, but keep track of how the legal situation develops.
Health and safety
New law regulating mental health in the workplace:Â Â Â The new law will regulate psychological risk factors in the workplace. The law was consulted on by interested parties over a 60 day period, which ended on December 26, 2016.
The final version of the new law is not yet approved, but this is expected to happen in 2017.
Action required: None at the moment, but keep track of how the legal situation develops.
Other Bills proposed
Multiple Bills to be considered by Congress:Â Â Congress will be required to assess the following Bills during 2017, which propose amendments to the:
- Securities Market Law and the General Law on Business Organizations on Equal Gender and Competitiveness;
- Federal Labour Law to regulate Mobbing; and
- Federal Labour Law to extend Maternity Leave (from 12 to 14 weeks).
Action required: None at the moment, but keep track of how the legal situation develops.