News

Saving lives with reduced pollution, fewer pesticides, and less worker exploitation

Forcing employees to work more than eight hours a day is now a labor exploitation crime

Mexico’s human trafficking legislation used to limit cases of labor exploitation to poor conditions, workloads disproportionate to pay, and below-minimum wages. A recent amendment prohibits work that exceeds the legal limit of 48 daytime hours per week.

Pay rates have increased for federally permitted overtime. Penalties for employers include prison sentences of three to 10 years and fines between 5,000 and 15,000 days’ wages. Cases involving Indigenous or Afro Mexican workers have higher penalties.

Why We Wrote This

A story focused on

In our progress roundup, government actions for the well-being of citizens have improved air quality in China, lowered suicide rates in Nepal by outlawing some pesticides, and protected people from being exploited at work in Mexico.

The changes “not only help to avoid legal sanctions but also promote fair and transparent labor practices,” said consultant Mario Cesar Nuñez.
Sources: Englobally Latinoamérica, Ogletree Deakins

Previous ArticleNext Article