Labour reform, working hours and pay in Canada and Latin America.
Brazil's National Congress passed Constitutional Amendment 141/2026, promulgated on October 16, 2026, ending the so-called '6x1' six-day workweek in favor of a five-day, two-day-off schedule, with the maximum workweek gradually reduced from 44 to 40 hours without pay cuts. Implementation begins December 15, potentially benefiting 26.8 million workers.
Mexico has approved a labor reform reducing the standard work week, amending the Federal Labor Law and Constitution. The reduction will be phased in gradually starting in 2027, aiming to protect jobs and reduce burnout, benefiting over 64% of workers who currently work more than 41 hours weekly.
After Quebec's new Parti Québécois government was sworn in Oct. 21, 2026, Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon tasked the new labour minister with raising minimum paid vacation to three weeks for employees with one year of service; no effective date has been set. The PQ holds only 59 of 127 seats, so opposition support is needed. Current law grants two weeks after one year (4% pay) and three weeks after three years (6% pay); employer group CPQ estimates vacation pay could rise to 6%.
Under Chile's Law No. 21,828, companies in Chile will be required to submit their first gender equity report in March 2027. The obligation establishes a new employer reporting requirement on gender equity.
An OECD June 2026 review found Canada's productivity growth has fallen to one of the lowest levels among developed nations, while the WIPO Global Innovation Index ranking slipped from 8th in 2011 to 17th in 2025. Vanessa Ribreau, Chief People Officer at Safe Software, argues global mobility of talent can help close this gap.
Law firm Pryor Cashman published an advisory noting changes to Canada's Express Entry immigration system affecting high-wage occupations, urging applicants to review and update their Express Entry profiles.
Canada's IRCC held an Express Entry draw on Oct. 26 for Provincial Nominee Program candidates, issuing 792 invitations to apply for permanent residence with a CRS cut-off score of 761. Candidates needed profiles created before April 3, 2026.
Colombian unions CUT and CGT, along with pensioner confederations under CNU, issued a statement on October 20 rejecting eight draft decrees proposed by the Labor Ministry, warning they could weaken labor inspection, harassment protections, and rights tied to the 2025 labor reform—including rules on outsourcing, collective pacts, and inspection conditions for domestic workers and journalists. The unions demand continued tripartite dialogue.
An article discusses how Mexico's gradual transition to a 40-hour workweek reform presents SMEs with an opportunity to digitize attendance, leave, and labor records to improve HR management and decision-making. Per INEGI's ENOE survey, 9.2 million subordinate workers logged more than 48 hours per week in Q2 2026.
ConocoPhillips confirmed it will eliminate an undisclosed number of Canadian employee and contractor positions on Tuesday, without disclosing the exact job-cut numbers. This follows previous workforce reductions carried out in 2025.
Mexico has approved a labor reform reducing the standard work week, amending the Federal Labor Law and Constitution. The reduction will be phased in gradually starting in 2027, aiming to protect jobs and reduce burnout, benefiting over 64% of workers who currently work more than 41 hours weekly.
Argentine media report that the statutory workweek will be reduced to 46 hours starting in 2027, raising questions about whether employers can cut pay in proportion to fewer hours worked. The report does not specify the underlying law or implementation details.
ConocoPhillips reportedly plans fresh job cuts in Canada, with employees bracing for notifications on Tuesday. This would mark the second consecutive year the company has cut jobs in Canada.
An IBM Institute for Business Value study released Oct. 2, 2026 found 37% of Canadian organizations exclude the CHRO from AI strategy planning. Only 39% of Canadian CHROs reported a joint roadmap with IT, and 72% struggle to coordinate across the C-suite. The Canadian sample included 75 HR executives and 452 employees. Globally, 76% of employees felt safe challenging AI outputs when HR shared responsibility for human-led decisions, versus 43% where HR was only advisory.
Brazil's National Confederation of Industry (CNI) filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Federal Court (STF) challenging a Superior Labor Court (TST) ruling requiring overtime pay for lack of heat-recovery breaks. CNI argues the ruling misapplies labor code provisions meant for other types of breaks, imposing costs not stipulated by law.
Manitoba's Provincial Nominee Program issued 1,304 Letters of Advice to Apply on Oct. 22: 734 to Manitoba graduates and spouses, 513 to top-scoring in-province candidates, and 57 to strategically recruited candidates. Applicants have 60 days to submit full nomination applications.
A Statistics Canada study released Oct. 21, 2026 found youth (15-24) made up 31.7% of retail staff in 2024, down from 35.5% in 2017, while workers 65 and older rose from 3.7% to 5.5%. Non-permanent residents' share nearly quintupled since 2017. Retail employed about 2 million in 2024; youth employment fell 48,000 in September with unemployment at 13.0%.
Employment lawyers in Canada say employees are increasingly using AI chatbots to check and draft workplace complaints, resulting in more frequent, longer and more complex submissions to HR, sometimes running dozens or even hundreds of pages. Lawyers note the trend is rapidly spreading across workplaces, tribunals and courts, increasing the time HR must spend handling such complaints.
After Quebec's new Parti Québécois government was sworn in Oct. 21, 2026, Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon tasked the new labour minister with raising minimum paid vacation to three weeks for employees with one year of service; no effective date has been set. The PQ holds only 59 of 127 seats, so opposition support is needed. Current law grants two weeks after one year (4% pay) and three weeks after three years (6% pay); employer group CPQ estimates vacation pay could rise to 6%.
Employers in Zacatecas, Mexico, are reportedly evaluating increased hiring ahead of the upcoming 40-hour work week reform. The report provides no specific figures or implementation timeline.
Brazil's National Congress passed Constitutional Amendment 141/2026, promulgated on October 16, 2026, ending the so-called '6x1' six-day workweek in favor of a five-day, two-day-off schedule, with the maximum workweek gradually reduced from 44 to 40 hours without pay cuts. Implementation begins December 15, potentially benefiting 26.8 million workers.
Following his re-election on Oct. 25, Brazilian President Lula plans to push labor law (CLT) reforms, including ending the 6x1 work schedule, combating fraudulent outsourcing and disguised employment, and strengthening unions. The proposals are not finalized and will be sent to Congress for debate.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced on October 16, 2026 that changes to the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) will take effect November 3, 2026. The reform awards extra CRS points for high-wage job offers or qualifying Canadian work experience based on occupation wage levels, and removes the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirement for qualifying job offers under certain categories. A new Labour Market Integration Factor grants points based on how an occupation's median wage compares to the national median, with occupations below 1.3x the threshold ineligible.
Mexico's Labor Ministry (STPS) warned that employers in San Luis Potosí are closing job opportunities to older workers, citing age discrimination concerns.
Over 1,200 union workers at Highland Valley Copper mine near Logan Lake, B.C., struck on October 25 after contract negotiations failed. Operator Teck Resources reduced production; USW Local 7619 cited wages, pensions and retention as key issues.
Mexico's National Employment Service (SNE) in Acuña is coordinating with business chambers and the maquiladora sector to prepare informational conferences for employers on the phased implementation of a labor reform reducing the workweek to 40 hours. Coahuila's Labor Secretariat had met with industry groups including Canacintra and Canaco.
Contract talks for ~5,500 Nova Scotia school support staff (CUPE-represented) stalled after Friday conciliation. Union enters legal strike status Monday; earliest walkout is Wednesday, requiring 48-hour notice. Disputes include pay, benefits, campus safety, staffing, and training.
Mexico's Labor Ministry stated most workers will smoothly transition to the new 40-hour workweek arrangement, with some companies implementing early. The new regulation takes effect in less than three months.
A second San Juan provincial judge rules installment payments of severance compensation unconstitutional in Argentina, following an earlier similar decision.
Coahuila's labor authority will host a regional «2026 Labor Dialogue» forum October 29 in Torreón to brief businesses on Mexico's 40-hour workweek reform. Phased implementation requires 46-hour maximum by 2027, reaching 40 hours by 2030.
Highland Valley Copper workers near Logan Lake, British Columbia began strike action October 24 after Teck Resources and USW Local 7619 failed to reach a contract. The union issued 72-hour notice Tuesday; legal strike status began Saturday with picket lines.
AI disrupts HR and total rewards as employee 「cognitive availability」 drops, complicating reskilling demands, per Daniel Imbeault of Normandin Beaudry. IBM finds 37% of Canadian firms exclude CHROs from AI strategy; solutions include short-term learning and tying compensation to skill certification.
Canada accelerated immigration processing, reducing wait times for work permits and Express Entry applications across multiple categories.