**Minimum Wage to Rise by 12% in 2025; Effective from January 1st**
December 4, 2024 – In a recent decision made by the National Minimum Wage Commission (CONASAMO) on December 3, 2024, a 12% increase has been approved for the minimum wage across the country. This adjustment will take effect starting January 1, 2025.
The current general minimum wage of 248.93 pesos per day, equivalent to roughly 7,470 pesos monthly, will increase to 278.88 pesos per day, translating to 8,364 pesos per month.
Marath Baruch Bolaños López, head of the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS), announced alongside business and labor sectors that the unanimous decision aims to enhance worker compensation across the nation. At a press conference held at the National Palace, the federal official confirmed the increase for the general area would change from 248.93 to 278.80 pesos daily or 8,364 pesos monthly.
In the northern border’s free zone, wages will rise from 374.89 to 419.88 pesos daily. Meanwhile, for professions with a set minimum wage standard, the same percentage increase will also apply.
Bolaños López highlighted that this ascending adjustment continues a positive trend marked by the “Fourth Transformation” government, claiming a 135% improvement in minimum wage purchasing power. Additionally, since 2019, registered workers with the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) have seen an average salary increase of 23.3% in real terms.
The STPS chief further mentioned studies by CONASAMI attributing the exit of 4.1 million individuals from poverty between 2018 and 2022 to effective wage policies. Efforts to bridge gender wage gaps also saw a 29% decrease nationwide.
In the announcement, President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo underscored that the minimum wage hike would raise the general zone’s monthly wage from 7,467 to 8,364 pesos, and from 11,246 to 12,596 pesos in the northern border’s free zone.
Francisco Cervantes Díaz, President of the Business Coordinating Council (CCE), expressed approval for the salary adjustments, emphasizing confidence in the country’s low unemployment rate and stable labor environment.
**Secondary Article: Global Trends in Minimum Wage Adjustments**
Minimum wage increases are not just localized in Mexico. Globally, several countries are adjusting compensation to address inflation and cost-of-living concerns. For example, Germany implemented an increase in the minimum wage to 10.45 euros per hour in 2022, with plans to raise it to 12 euros in 2025. In the U.S., various states continue to push for hikes beyond the federal minimum, reflecting heightened economic demands.
Additionally, the campaign for a living wage gains momentum across Europe, with countries like the UK and France debating policies for fair compensation tied to living costs. The worldwide trend towards wage increases reflects a broader acknowledgment of workers’ needs across industries, pushing nations to reconsider economic strategies that support sustainable livelihood.
As countries grapple with financial pressures from the post-pandemic landscape, measures such as these highlight a global recognition of fair wage practices and their crucial role in economic recovery and social equity.