As mid-December approaches, a familiar anticipation builds across Mexico. Employees in the formal sector, as well as domestic and many part-time workers, are counting down to December 20, the legal deadline for employers to pay the aguinaldo — a mandatory Christmas bonus of at least 15 days’ wages.
For many, the aguinaldo is not just a welcome holiday gift, it is a financial lifeline. Beyond allowing families to purchase presents for their loved ones, the bonus often provides much-needed relief from the financial strain of the past year. With debts accumulated throughout the year, the aguinaldo allows workers to pay off bills, clear overdue balances, and restore a sense of financial stability before the new year begins. This makes the aguinaldo not only a festive tradition but also a crucial means of support for working families across the country.
The roots of this annual payout, however, stretch back millennia, far beyond modern labor law.
Please login or subscribe to view the complete article.