Industrialists call for gradual reduction in working hours

The Council of Industrial Chambers of Jalisco ( CCIJ ) requested that the proposed reduction in working hours be implemented gradually and differentiated, according to the type of company, the productive sector, and regional conditions.

Antonio Lancaster Jones, coordinator of the CCIJ, warned that immediately implementing the reform would have a strong impact on productivity, especially on micro and small businesses, which are already struggling to fill their workforces.

"What we're asking for is a gradual approach, implemented from now until 2030; that is, a two-hour reduction in the workday every two or three years," the leader explained.

The proposal seeks to ensure that the reduction in working hours is not uniform, but rather takes into account the differences between the industrial, commercial, and service sectors, which face distinct dynamics and needs.

Since last week, working groups have been holding discussions between the government, business chambers, and unions to reach an agreement on how to implement this reform.

“If the law were implemented as it stands, the consequences would be millions of dollars in lost revenue and a drop in productivity, because many companies don't have the capacity to meet their current production and delivery commitments,” Lancaster Jones said.

He also noted that the industrial sector faces significant challenges in hiring personnel, so an abrupt reduction in working hours would exacerbate this situation by requiring more employees to cover shifts .

As an alternative, the CCIJ is analyzing models from other Latin American countries where the workday has been reduced with good results. "We are looking at the example of Chile and Colombia, where it was implemented over five years and was a successful transition. It can't be immediate, as some unions have proposed," he added.

Regarding the so-called "Chair Law," which seeks to ensure that workers can sit during their shift when not actively working, Lancaster Jones explained that, in the case of the manufacturing sector, placing chairs on production lines is not feasible for safety reasons.

However, she clarified that member companies already promote adequate rest areas. "We've been working since the pandemic to create quiet and comfortable areas for rest periods. We believe it's positive to continue making progress toward decent working conditions," she concluded.

They promote the outsourcing of services

Outsourcing has established itself as a fundamental strategy for companies to reduce costs and maintain their competitiveness in an increasingly complex economic and political environment.

Luis Soto, Business Development Manager at Kelly Mexico, noted that outsourcing encompasses areas such as finance, call centers, logistics, human resources, and legal affairs, among others.

"In recent years, we've grown by almost 500 percent in the number of companies requesting process outsourcing," he commented.

Among the main benefits companies gain from outsourcing certain processes are a 20% to 30% reduction in operating costs, a decrease in fixed expenses related to production and administration, and the ability to work with specialized suppliers. It also enables the research and development of new business models and technologies, and improves responsiveness to regulatory and market changes.

A clear example is the case of a company in the automotive sector that was facing operational challenges. Kelly Mexico implemented a customized solution in less than two months, including training and support for sales staff, as well as efficient expense and travel management through specialized talent.

The results were remarkable: the company achieved approximately 40% savings in operating costs, a 16% increase in sales, and significantly improved its efficiency and customer satisfaction indicators. It also completely corrected its revenue gap and fully met its budget.

This case demonstrates that outsourcing is an effective tool for addressing challenges arising from tariff policies and trade tensions.

“Automotive companies that adopt a proactive approach, using outsourcing to optimize operations, not only survive, but thrive in challenging environments,” explained Luis Soto.

In the short term, many companies have managed to reduce costs and better focus their strategies. In the medium and long term, they have strengthened their resilience to market volatility.

CT