In a world in constant evolution, where technology and automation play an increasingly important role, the future work poses challenges that require innovative approaches and profound reflections. The proposal of reducing the working hours in Mexico from 48 to 40 hours per week, driven by some legislators, need to be revised in light of the economic and social implications of such a measure.
A Market Economy with Inclusive Development seeks to balance the benefits of free market policies and strategies that ensure a more equitable sharing of the wealth and opportunities. Instead of focusing solely on the reduction of working hours, it is critical that legislators take a broader approach and sustainable that takes into account the future on the labour market and the changes that are coming due to technological advancement.
The current proposal, as well as sent the initiatives, studies, without expert consultation, could be disastrous for the real workers, and generators of wealth in the country. All companies, but especially the micro and small will be most affected by higher labor costs and a decline in productivity. This, in turn, could lead to the loss of jobs and an increase in informality, affecting millions of workers and their families.
To #OpiniónCoparmex before promote new reforms in labour matters, it is necessary to consolidate the already approved and allowing companies and employees to adapt progressively to them. Legislators may not give priority to their electoral interests and should give priority to a discussion that allows to evaluate the economic effect of their proposals, and to understand that behind them there are more than 5 million entrepreneurs and more than 60 million employees.
The real challenge for policy-makers, experts in economics and citizenship in general is to find solutions that promote the well-being and prosperity of all citizens. This means investing in education, training, social protection, access to basic services, entrepreneurship, innovation and progressive fiscal policies. According to the OECD, Mexico is one of the countries that invest in education but also one of the least skills for the work develops why have you decided to lawmakers to focus your efforts on something seemingly attractive in electoral terms, and not generating real conditions of development work?
In place of continued reform in apparent benefits for workers, job creation and the promotion of investment in an open market environment with an inclusive approach must be true priorities for policy makers. The role of the democratic representatives is to balance the demands and desires of their voters with their judgment and expert knowledge, making decisions that are favorable to long-term.
In this context, it is critical that legislators do not be carried away by making populist, which can be harmful to the country as a whole. The legislative work should focus on generating the conditions for workers to acquire more and better job skills and to work in companies more innovative and competitive. The reduction of working hours is not necessarily the most appropriate solution for achieving this goal.
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