December 6th, 2024
1. Minimum wage to be raised 12% for 2025
The President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, announced a 12% increase in the minimum wage for 2025. The minimum wage will rise from 248.93 to 278.80 pesos per day in the General Minimum Wage Zone and from 374.89 to 419.88 pesos per day in the Northern Border Free Zone. Benefitting 8.5 million workers, this increase is expected to improve their quality of life and reduce poverty. The average monthly wage will be 8,364 pesos, while in the border region it will be 12,596 pesos.
This increase was approved by consensus in the Council of Representatives of the National Commission on Minimum Wages (Conasami) and is part of a strategy aimed at achieving a minimum wage that can cover 2.5 basic baskets by 2030. Since 2018, the minimum wage has increased by 135%, and poverty has decreased thanks to this wage policy. Business owners and workers celebrated the agreement, highlighting what they described as the humanistic approach and solidarity in this increase.
Proceso: Jueza pide a Gobierno dejar de aplicar la Ley de la Industria Eléctrica
2. President and business leaders promote Plan Mexico
President Claudia Sheinbaum met with the Mexican Business Council to discuss Plan Mexico, a national strategy focused on strengthening the country’s economy. Over more than three hours, topics such as insecurity, the USMCA, and relations with the United States and Canada were discussed. Sheinbaum emphasized the importance of business collaboration to foster labor inclusion and economic development.
Rolando de la Vega, president of the Council, called the meeting “magnificent” and affirmed the commitment of the private sector to invest and work together with the government. He highlighted that security remains a priority, along with job generation and economic growth. The Council, made up of 62 business leaders who contribute 17% of the GDP and 1.7 million jobs, reaffirmed their commitment to producing for Mexico and collaborating on key issues for national development.
El Financiero: Plan México: Sheinbaum pide colaboración a los empresarios más grandes del país
3. Vaping and fentanyl banned in the Constitution
The Chamber of Deputies approved a constitutional reform to ban the production, distribution, and sale of vapes, e-cigarettes, and illegal fentanyl in Mexico. The modification of Articles 4 and 5 of the Constitution aims to protect citizens’ access to health by considering these activities as crimes against public health.
With 410 votes in favor and 24 against, the reform establishes that the use of vapes and other toxic substances will be illegal in the country. Despite the approval, the National Alliance of Small Merchants (ANPEC) expressed concern, warning that the ban could fuel the black market and harm legal businesses, as well as strengthen organized crime. ANPEC suggested regulating vapes instead of banning them.
Animal Político: Diputados prohíben el uso de vapeadores y fentanilo ilegal en la Constitución
4. Senate approves the 2025 Revenue Law
The Senate of the Republic approved the 2025 Federal Revenue Law (LIF) with 84 votes in favor, 36 against, and 0 abstentions. The law projects total revenues of 9.3 trillion pesos, with public debt of 1.2 trillion pesos, the third largest source of resources. Morena defended the debt as “responsible,” arguing that it would reduce the fiscal deficit to 3.9% of GDP, while the opposition criticized the 2-3% economic growth estimates as unrealistic and overestimated.
Among the revenues, 5.3 trillion will come from taxes, and Pemex will have an internal debt of 143.404 billion pesos and external debt of 5.513 billion dollars. Although the LIF does not contemplate new taxes, the Federal Rights Law includes increased charges for mining and immigration services.
El Economista: Senadores aprueban en lo general la Ley de Ingresos de la Federación con 1.2 billones de pesos de deuda
5. Senate approves the 2025 Rights Law with impacts on tourism
With 79 votes in favor and 38 against, the Senate approved the 2025 Federal Rights Law, which increases fees for mining, immigration services, and the use of Protected Natural Areas (ANP). It also eliminates exemptions for aviation students and cruise passengers. It is expected to raise 374.4 billion pesos, 10.4% more than in 2024. Senator Cuauhtémoc Ochoa (Morena) defended the adjustments as necessary to reflect inflation and technological advances.
The opposition criticized the impact on tourism. Mely Romero (PRI) pointed out that the 100% increase in ANP charges would affect ecotourism, while Mayuli Martínez (PAN) called the charge on cruise passengers a blow to the sector. Ochoa assured that the measures would strengthen sovereignty and strategic sectors such as the environment and telecommunications.