## Baja California Congress Passes Minimum Wage Constitutional Reform
The Congress of Baja California has made headlines by becoming the fourth local legislature in Mexico to approve a constitutional reform that mandates the setting of minimum wages—both general and professional—must never fall below the inflation observed over their term. The reform received unanimous approval during the October 10, 2024 session. This legislative move came swiftly without being referred to committees, thanks to an agreement by the Political Coordination Board, following quick approval from the Senate.
Araceli Gerardo Núñez, a Morena party member, highlighted that this reform aims to enhance the working conditions of employees. It includes setting a minimum of $16,777.08 for full-time basic education teachers, medical professionals, and members of the Armed Forces and the National Guard. As Núñez emphasized, there will need to be a thorough review to ensure that municipalities in the state adhere to this standard.
The Movement Citizen Party (MC) expressed responsible opposition, with their representative Daylin García Ruvalcaba supporting the proposal, advocating for equitable pay among healthcare and security sector workers in the state. Similarly, the PAN party’s Santa Alejandrina Corral Quintero supported the initiative, stressing the need for employees to live with dignity and urging wage adjustments for those earning below the minimum, including some Congress workers who earn 12,500 pesos.
Furthermore, she called for municipalities, decentralized entities, and the state government to align public sector salaries with the minimum wage reforms. Her colleague María Yolanda Gaona suggested revisiting the 2025 Income Tax (ISR) table to ensure that tax withholdings don’t undermine the wage increase.
Prominent voices like Diego Echavarría of the PAN emphasized not only the importance of fair pay but also job creation in Mexico. Morena’s Juan Manuel Molina García reinforced that the reform offers a “double guarantee” by ensuring minimum wages aren’t used as an index for various financial schemes.
Former officials, including legislators Jaime Eduardo Cantón Rocha, Liliana Michel Sánchez Allende, and Danny Fidel Mogollón Pérez, credited former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador with proposing this reform. Sánchez Allende dispelled myths propagated by critics who feared economic downturns, claiming that these apprehensions were unfounded.
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## Suggested Editorial – The National Trend Toward Wage Reform
Alongside Baja California’s legislative efforts, similar movements are gaining momentum across Mexico. With more states considering similar reforms, the push for fair wages aligning with inflation becomes a broader national conversation. As economic inequality remains a pressing issue, such reforms are seen as vital steps toward ensuring that workers receive a fair living wage suitable for modern-day life.
Experts argue that regional differences must be taken into account when setting these wages, as the cost of living varies significantly across Mexico. The ongoing dialogue involves balancing economic realities with social equity, ensuring that wage reforms do not inadvertently slow down investment and job creation.
As more entities engage in this issue, it will be essential to monitor the implementation of these reforms to assess their effectiveness and their impact on both local economies and the lives of workers.