Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Labor Day celebrated with labor reforms that give workers more say

It was Labor Day in Mexico yesterday and the federal government took advantage of the date to celebrate sweeping new labor legislation.

Approved by the Senate on Monday, the bill gives workers the right to bargain collectively with employers through independent unions and elect union representation by secret ballot.

It was also key to ratifying the new free trade agreement between Mexico, the United States and Canada.

The lack of transparency under which unions operated previously enabled them to sign contracts behind employees’ backs, keep wages low and lure foreign manufacturing industries to the country.

Labor Secretary Luisa María Alcalde called the vote “historic,” saying that “Congress has voted in favor of freedom and union democracy.”

In the United States, Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer celebrated the new legislation.

“These reforms will greatly improve Mexico’s system of labor justice and are exactly what labor leaders in the United States and Mexico have sought for decades.”

Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had previously called on Mexico to pass such a bill, saying the U.S. Congress could not begin work on the new trade agreement unless Mexico ensured workers’ right to unionize.

López Obrador said an agreement on the legislation had been reached only after long negotiations with unions, the manufacturing industry and lawmakers.

Source: El Sol de México (sp), Reuters (en), The Washington Post (en)

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
Los Alegres de Barranco band poses with instruments and cowboy hats

US revokes visas of Mexican band who paid homage to cartel boss ‘El Mencho’

4
The band Los Alegres del Barranco is at the center of a heated controversy after paying tribute to notorious drug lord Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes during a recent concert.
Kristi Noem and President Trump

Homeland Security Secretary outlines Trump’s ‘wishlist’ for Mexico to sidestep tariffs

9
The list of requests was presented to President Sheinbaum by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who suggested Mexico may still be able to avoid tariffs before Wednesday.
A stack of tortillas with a hand at the top, pulling a couple of tortillas off the stack.

UNAM designs a ‘supertortilla’ to fight malnutrition in Mexico

3
According to federal data, over 18% of Mexicans lack access to quality nutritional food, while obesity and diabetes are prevalent in Mexico.