Delivering a two-year review of his legislative record in Nuevo León, Movimiento Ciudadano Senator Luis Donaldo Colosio Riojas presented some of his key proposals, including expanding local government terms from three to four years and reducing the standard workweek to 40 hours with two mandatory rest days.
During his report, the lawmaker emphasized that both initiatives address structural challenges directly impacting daily life ranging from excessive work schedules to difficulties that hinder long-term city planning.
Reflecting on his term as mayor of Monterrey, Colosio noted that governing at the local level exposed him to the operational limits placed on city administration. This, in turn, has guided his legislative agenda toward reforms aimed at improving quality of life for Mexican families.
40-Hour Workweek and Two Days Off
A core element of Colosio’s address focused on modernizing labor conditions to support work-life balance without undermining worker compensation.
He described a common reality for millions of Mexicans who leave home before dawn and return after their children are asleep, which is why a 40-hour workweek that guarantees two consecutive days of rest with no reduction in pay is necessary.
His proposals include expanding shared parental leave, establishing five days of paid bereavement leave for the loss of an immediate family member, and strengthening legal protections for domestic workers.
The Case for Four-Year Mayoral Terms
Another key proposal in his report was to extend municipal government terms from three to four years, as he believes the current timeframe is insufficient to develop and complete major projects.
Colosio explained that City Halls face demands related to public safety, trash collection, infrastructure, water, and public services, yet often lack the necessary resources and authority to address them.
“In Mexico, a municipal government lasts three years: one to take over, one to build, and one to hand over,” he stated.
The lawmaker argued that this situation hinders city planning, particularly for infrastructure projects that require several years of preparation and execution.
He also proposed improving municipal financing mechanisms, expediting the delivery of federal resources, and allocating a larger share of available funds to strengthening local police forces.
Colosio Reviews His Two-Year Record
Colosio also outlined 191 legislative actions sponsored over his first two years, encompassing 102 bills and 89 motions.
Beyond labor and local governance, his proposals address healthcare, education, security, environmental protection, and digital rights.
The senator also criticized the growing centralization of decision-making within the federal government, advocating instead for empowered local municipalities capable of responding directly to community needs.
While these initiatives are part of Colosio’s legislative agenda, neither the 40-hour workweek nor the extended mayoral terms have been enacted into law. Both proposals remain pending before Congress, where Colosio pledged to continue championing their passage from the Senate floor.
