MEXICO Trends and Developments Contributed by: Juan José Villar, Juan Carlos Villar and María Leticia Montero, Villar & Villar Abogados, S.C.
and will benefit from the commercial and reputational advantages that come with it. The right to sit: a simple rule with real consequences What the regulation says On 17 July 2025, the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (STPS) published new regulations in the DOF establishing the right to rest during the working day for employees who perform their duties in a stand - ing position. The rules apply across the service, retail, industrial and comparable workplace sectors, cover - ing millions of workers in stores, factories, restaurants and service centres across the country. The regulation, known informally as the Ley Silla (Chair Law), is both practical and symbolic. It reflects Mexi - co’s broader commitment to dignified working condi - tions and occupational health standards aligned with international norms and it sends a clear signal that worker wellbeing is a compliance priority, not just a corporate responsibility aspiration. What employers must provide The requirements are straightforward. Employers in affected sectors must: • provide appropriate seating – each worker who stands during their shift must have access to a chair or seat with a backrest, either at their work - station or in a clearly designated nearby area; • meet ergonomic standards – seating must sup - port healthy posture, include wheels or a swivel mechanism to allow easy movement, and be stable enough to prevent unintentional movement; • inform and train workers – employees must be told about the health risks associated with prolonged standing and the measures the company has adopted to address them; • mark seating areas – if seats are not at the worker’s usual workstation, their location must be clearly signposted; and • refer workers to medical attention – any worker showing signs of discomfort or health issues relat - ed to standing work must be directed to appropri - ate care.
Workers also have duties under the regulation: they must use their seating appropriately, participate in ergonomic training, report any issues with equipment and attend required medical check-ups. The STPS is responsible for monitoring compliance and has the authority to interpret and enforce the provisions. Practical steps for compliance • Conduct a workplace risk assessment to identify which roles and areas require seating provision. • Procure compliant ergonomic seating for all affect - ed workstations and designated rest areas. • Update internal training programmes to include ergonomic health information and proper use of seating. • Establish a medical referral protocol for workers who experience discomfort or symptoms related to standing work. • Document your compliance steps, as STPS inspections are expected to verify adherence to these provisions. Strategic outlook: three reforms, one direction The common thread These three reforms did not emerge in isolation. They are part of a coherent and continuing direction in Mexican labour policy: raising standards, reducing exploitation, and aligning with the international norms that Mexico’s trade partners, particularly the United States and Canada, increasingly require as a condition of economic partnership. For businesses, the key insight is this: these are not the last reforms. The USMCA review process, the ongoing ILO ratification agenda and the domestic political momentum behind labour rights all point to further legislative change ahead. Companies that treat each reform as a one-off compliance event will find themselves perpetually reactive. Those that build adaptive, resilient HR and compliance frameworks now will be ready for what comes next. What to do now across all three reform areas For the working hours reform: • start productivity diagnostics now, before the first reduction takes effect in January 2027;
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