1. What are the key national laws on forced labour, modern slavery and/or human rights in your country?
  2. Are there any sector-specific rules?
  3. Are there any obligations for companies, e.g. reporting, due diligence, supply chain transparency?
  4. Are there any government reporting requirements?
  5. Are there any penalties and enforcement mechanisms?
  6. Potential criminal, civil or administrative penalties for violations?
  7. Risks for directors or executives?
  8. Upcoming laws, regulations, etc?

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Mexico
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1. What are the key national laws on forced labour, modern slavery and/or human rights in your country?

  • The Mexican Constitution; 
  • The Federal Labour Law (Ley Federal del Trabajo); 
  • The General Law to Prevent, Punish and Eradicate Crimes in the Matter of Human Trafficking and to Protect and Assist Victims (Ley General para Prevenir, Sancionar y Erradicar los Delitos en Materia de Trata de Personas).                

These legal frameworks are complemented by Mexico’s adherence to international treaties, such as those established by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations.

2. Are there any sector-specific rules?

Mexico regulates forced labor and modern slavery through general laws and a broad import ban regime - without sector-specific legal rules.

3. Are there any obligations for companies, e.g. reporting, due diligence, supply chain transparency?

  • Under the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada (USMCA) Article 23.6, companies must ensure goods are not produced with forced or compulsory labour.
  • Primary employers share joint liability with subcontractors for compliance with labour laws in subcontracted activities.

4. Are there any government reporting requirements?

In Mexico, there is currently no general or specific legal obligation requiring companies to report on compliance with labor rights or human rights.

5. Are there any penalties and enforcement mechanisms?

  • Trade sanctions (tariffs, import restrictions, suspension of preferential treatment) under USMCA for violations.
  • Administrative penalties and fines, l and criminal fines  under the  Federal Labour Law, and the Federal Law for the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Related to Human Trafficking. 

6. Potential criminal, civil or administrative penalties for violations?

 Administrative penalties and fines, and criminal fines under the Federal Labour Law, and the Federal Law for the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Related to Human Trafficking. 

7. Risks for directors or executives?

There is personal liability for directors or executives who, having knowledge — or being in a position where they should have had knowledge — of a crime or unlawful conduct within the organization, fail to act to prevent or remedy it.

8. Upcoming laws, regulations, etc?

More explicit regulations may emerge in the future, aligning with international frameworks.