### Maquiladoras in Tijuana Begin Distributing Holiday Bonuses
As of December 1, maquiladoras in Tijuana have started distributing holiday bonuses, with a deadline to complete this obligation by December 20. This was confirmed by Obdulia Rodríguez Sánchez, the president of the Human Resources Association of the Tijuana Industry (Arhitac). “We are currently working on the calculations, but we started promptly on December 1,” she stated.
According to the Federal Attorney’s Office for Workers’ Defense (Profedet), the holiday bonus must be at least equivalent to 15 days of salary. Workers who do not receive their bonus by December 20 have up to one year to claim it. This payment is due to a wide range of employees under the Federal Labor Law, including permanent, temporary, and commission-based workers, among others.
For those who have not completed a full year of service, they are still entitled to a proportional part of the bonus based on the time worked, regardless of their employment status at the time of payout.
To ensure workers are not victimized by theft after receiving their bonuses, Arhitac and industries have launched safety campaigns. These initiatives advise employees to be cautious when withdrawing money, use security apps like the Purple Button and Emergency Button, and avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Some companies are investing in ATMs on-site to reduce employees’ exposure to potential threats.
Additionally, the Municipal Security and Citizen Protection Secretariat plans to increase police presence in industrial parks as a preventative measure against theft during the holiday season.
### Related News: Anticipated Salary Increase and Worker Training in Tijuana
In another development, maquiladoras in Tijuana predict a salary increase of up to 15% for 2025, according to Arhitac. This anticipated raise underscores the need for industries to invest in staff training to maintain competitiveness in the global market.
Moreover, there is an ongoing legislative discussion about reducing work hours to 40 hours per week. Stakeholders emphasize the importance of consensus and collaborative decision-making in this debate.
Meanwhile, the city of Tijuana is gearing up for the possibility of a mass deportation from the United States, as indicated by discussions from local business leaders. This situation could significantly impact the local economy and workforce dynamics.
Lastly, to enhance hospitality offerings, Tijuana plans to expand medical pass options in restaurants and hotels. This initiative aims to eliminate the black market for medical passes, which can cost upwards of $100 on social media platforms.