Labor rights for older adults

Executive Summary:

• The job market for older adults is very limited, as a very high percentage of companies in Mexico do not open spaces within their workforce for them.
• The Senate of the Republic approved an initiative to reform the Federal Labor Law that establishes the obligation to hire 5% of the total workforce of senior citizens when they have more than 20 employees. 
• The project seeks to promote equal opportunities in access to employment, encourage formal employment and combat age discrimination. 

On March 14, the Senate of the Republic approved an initiative to reform the Federal Labor Law that establishes an obligation for employers to hire 5% of the total workforce of older adults when they have more than 20 employees. 

The initiative presented by the senators as a step forward in human rights seeks to reform articles 132 and 133 of the Federal Labor Law, given that currently the labor market for older adults (over 60 years old) is very limited, since a very high percentage of companies in Mexico do not open spaces within their workforce for older adults and, if they do, precarious working conditions are presented. 

Through the project, legislators recognize that older adults experience limitations in accessing employment and social protection, therefore, with its approval, they seek to promote equal opportunities in access to employment, encourage formal employment and combat age discrimination. 

The bill was sent to the Chamber of Deputies where it will continue its legislative process.