Co-funded by the European Union

Mexico: Meeting on “Measures to achieve the reconciliation of work and family responsibilities of Convention 156 of the International Labour Organization”

  • At a recent meeting organised by the Mexican Senate and the ILO Office for Mexico and Cuba, meaningful discussions unfolded regarding the ratification of ILO Convention 156, which aims to establish equality of opportunity and treatment for workers with family responsibilities.
  • This event underscored Mexican legislators' commitment to tackling the challenges and reaping the benefits of formalising support for workers with family responsibilities.

Introduced 40 years ago, Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention (C156) was ratified by only 12 countries in Latin America. Mexico is currently not among these countries but is actively considering ratifying it to improve social policies and support workers with family obligations.

The active involvement of Senators Patricia Mercado and Napoleón G. Urrutia and Representative Amalia García pushed for significant legislative changes, such as the constitutional recognition of parental care rights, the promotion of social policies for workers with family responsibilities, and, finally, the ratification of the Convention.

The proposed policies hold promise for workers and children, people with disabilities, older people, and employers, potentially boosting productivity.

The meeting served as a platform for discussing these objectives. All stakeholders, including Mexican legislators, employers, and interested parties, emphasised the need for a collaborative approach to overcome existing barriers and ensure the implementation of these transformative policies.

Understanding and preparing for these changes is crucial for employers, particularly those in Mexico and similar regulatory environments. Businesses should anticipate adjustments in labour laws that may mandate more robust support systems for employees with family responsibilities. Such preparations comply with potential legal requirements and position companies as inclusive, supportive workplaces that attract and retain top talent.