The Secretary of Public Education (SEP) grants vacations to students during Holy Week in Mexico; however, there is no mandatory break backed by law for workers during these dates. Despite this, some companies choose to give vacations to their employees during Holy Week, or at least on the most important days of the religious commemoration.
According to Article 75 of the Federal Labor Law, employees who work on holidays must be compensated as follows: they must receive their normal pay plus double salary for the service rendered. That is, if a person earns 300 pesos a day and works on a holiday, they must receive at least 600 additional pesos, totaling 900 pesos.
Before Holy Week, both basic education students and some workers can enjoy the "March bridge," which provides them with an extra day off. This year, March 17 is considered a mandatory rest day, despite not having a special commemoration on this date.
The third Monday of March celebrates the birth of Benito Juárez, which is a holiday in Mexico. Therefore, March 17 is given as a mandatory rest day for students and workers. According to the SEP school calendar and the Federal Labor Law, this day is established as a holiday.
Additionally, Article 72 of the Federal Labor Law establishes the official dates of holidays in Mexico. Some of the dates considered mandatory holidays are: New Year's Day, Commemoration of the Day of the Mexican Constitution, Labor Day, Independence Day, among others.
Regarding Holy Week, it is not considered an official holiday in Mexico, so there is no mandatory break backed by law for workers during these dates. It is important to remember that, in case of working on holidays, employees have the right to receive additional compensation according to current labor legislation.
