Use this unpaid wages guide to build a clear demand letter for Puebla.
Recovering Unpaid Wages in Puebla, Mexico
Workers in Puebla facing unpaid wages, withheld bonuses, or denied entitlements have strong legal protections under Mexican labor law. Whether you work in the automotive industry, manufacturing, maquiladoras, Volkswagen or Audi plants, retail, services, or any sector across the Puebla metropolitan area, Mexican law provides clear mechanisms for recovering owed compensation.
Mexico's Federal Labor Law (Ley Federal del Trabajo) establishes comprehensive worker protections. The law covers wages, overtime, benefits, vacation pay, Christmas bonuses (aguinaldo), profit sharing (PTU), and termination payments. These rights cannot be waived by contract.
Common wage issues in Puebla include late salary payments, non-payment of overtime in manufacturing, withheld aguinaldo, denied profit sharing, unpaid vacation premium, and disputes with automotive suppliers and maquiladoras. Puebla's industrial economy, particularly its automotive sector, creates various employment scenarios.
The Centro Federal de Conciliación y Registro Laboral and labor courts provide dispute resolution for wage claims. Workers can file complaints without attorneys. This guide explains your rights and the process for recovering unpaid wages in Puebla.
Mexican Laws Protecting Worker Wages in Puebla
Mexican labor law provides comprehensive wage protections through the Ley Federal del Trabajo (LFT) and constitutional provisions.
Article 123 of the Mexican Constitution establishes fundamental labor rights including: minimum wage, maximum working hours, overtime compensation, and protection of wages.
The Ley Federal del Trabajo governs all employment relationships. Key provisions: wages must be paid weekly for manual workers and biweekly for others, payment in legal currency, wages cannot be reduced unilaterally, employers cannot retain wages except for authorized deductions.
Minimum wage is set annually by CONASAMI. Puebla follows the general minimum wage zone rates. All workers must receive at least minimum wage.
Overtime compensation under Article 67: first 9 hours of weekly overtime at 200%, additional overtime at 300%.
Aguinaldo (Christmas bonus) under Article 87: at least 15 days' wages by December 20.
Vacation and vacation premium under Articles 76-81: minimum 12 days vacation after first year, 25% vacation premium.
Profit sharing (PTU) under Articles 117-131: workers entitled to share of employer profits, paid in May.
Severance pay for unjustified termination: 3 months' salary plus 20 days per year of service.
The 2019 reform established mandatory pre-judicial conciliation at Centro Federal de Conciliación y Registro Laboral.
Automotive workers and maquiladora employees have the same rights as all Mexican workers under the LFT.
Step-by-Step Guide to Recovering Unpaid Wages in Puebla
Recovering unpaid wages involves using Mexico's labor justice system.
Gather evidence: employment contract, payroll receipts (recibos de nómina), bank statements, time records, calculations of amounts owed.
Confirm legal entitlements: minimum wage compliance, overtime at proper rates, aguinaldo, vacation premium, PTU if applicable.
Calculate: unpaid regular wages, overtime at 200%/300%, aguinaldo, vacation premium, PTU, severance if terminated.
Send written request: specific amounts owed, legal basis, deadline (7-14 days), intention to file complaint.
Prepare: employment documentation, payroll records, calculations, correspondence.
File complaint with Centro Federal de Conciliación y Registro Laboral. Describe employment, wages owed, legal basis. Conciliation is mandatory.
Conciliation attempts settlement. Present documentation. Consider reasonable offers.
If conciliation fails, case proceeds to Tribunal Laboral. Present evidence.
If employer doesn't comply, enforcement includes asset seizure and garnishment.
Essential Evidence for Puebla Wage Claims
Strong documentation is crucial.
Employment Documentation
Proof of employment: contract, employee ID, IMSS registration, documents showing employment.
Pay Records
Payment documentation: recibos de nómina, bank statements, CFDI for wages, records of missed payments.
Working Hours Records
For overtime: time attendance records, schedules, emails showing work outside hours.
Wage Calculations
Detailed calculations: regular wages, overtime with legal rates, aguinaldo, vacation premium, PTU, severance.
Communication Records
Correspondence: payment requests, employer responses, written complaints.
Termination Documentation
If terminated: termination letter, reasons, final settlement offered.
Witness Information
Coworkers who can confirm working conditions.
IMSS Records
Social security: registration showing employment dates, reported salary, contributions.
Organize chronologically.
Critical Deadlines for Puebla Wage Claims
Mexican labor law establishes specific timeframes.
Prescription Period (1 Year)
Most claims prescribe in 1 year from when due. File within 1 year of each violation.
Severance Claims (2 Months)
Claims for unjustified termination: 2 months. Strict deadline.
Aguinaldo Deadline
Must be paid by December 20. Claims run from this date.
PTU Deadline
Profit sharing: 60 days after employer files tax return. Claims run from then.
Conciliation Process
After filing: hearing within days to weeks, resolution in 1-3 sessions.
Court Process
If conciliation fails: proceedings over months.
Evidence Preservation
Document immediately. Keep payroll receipts, save communications.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Puebla Wage Claims
Many workers weaken claims through errors.
Missing 2-Month Termination Deadline
Severance has strict 2-month limit. File immediately.
Letting Claims Prescribe
Most prescribe in 1 year. File promptly.
Not Keeping Payroll Receipts
Recibos are crucial. Keep all documentation.
Accepting Finiquito Without Review
Don't sign without understanding what you're giving up.
Miscalculating Entitlements
Use official formulas. PROFEDET assists with calculations.
Not Using PROFEDET
PROFEDET provides free legal assistance. Use it.
Skipping Conciliation
Mandatory under 2019 reform. File with CFCRL first.
Giving Up Too Easily
Persist through formal channels.
Frequently Asked Questions About Puebla Wage Claims
Puebla follows general zone minimum wage rates set by CONASAMI. Check current rates at gob.mx/conasami.
Most claims: 1 year. Severance: 2 months. Don't delay.
Mandatory Christmas bonus: at least 15 days' wages by December 20.
First 9 hours weekly at 200%. Beyond that at 300%.
Yes. Automotive and maquiladora workers have same rights as all Mexican workers under LFT.
3 months' integrated salary plus 20 days per year. File within 2 months.
No. Proceedings are accessible without attorneys. PROFEDET provides free representation.
Free legal assistance for workers: advice, calculations, representation.
What to Expect When Pursuing Puebla Wage Claims
Understanding outcomes helps approach claims effectively.
Most resolve through: negotiation, conciliation, or court judgment.
Often produces: agreed payment, payment schedules, documented settlements.
Can order: payment of wages, constitutional indemnification, 20 days per year, back pay.
Direct: weeks. Conciliation: 1-2 months. Court: 6-18 months.
Strengthens with: clear documentation, timely filing, organized presentation.
Judgments enforceable through asset seizure, garnishment.
Puebla Wage Recovery Resources and Contacts
Puebla offers resources for wage claims.
PROFEDET Puebla
Free legal assistance. Website: profedet.gob.mx. Advice, calculations, representation.
Centro Federal de Conciliación y Registro Laboral
Mandatory pre-judicial conciliation.
Tribunales Laborales de Puebla
Labor courts after conciliation fails.
STPS
Federal labor ministry. Website: gob.mx/stps.
CONASAMI
Minimum wage rates. Website: gob.mx/conasami.
IMSS
Social security verification.
The Wage War Playbook
Know the Deadlines
Most states give employers a limited time to fix wage violations. Know your state's laws.
Document the Theft
Timesheets, emails, texts, promises… gather every shred of evidence.
Calculate *Everything*
Regular hours, overtime, breaks, commissions. Don't let them shortchange you a single cent.
Your Paycheck's Bill of Rights
Many states have serious penalties for wage theft, including double or triple damages. Know your rights.
Puebla Unpaid Wages Laws
Applicable Laws
- Ley Federal del Trabajo
Small Claims Limit
MXN $500,000
Consumer Protection Agency
PROFEDET
Wage War FAQ
When should I send a demand letter?
The moment they miss a payment or short your check. Don't let it slide - delays can hurt your claim.
What if they retaliate?
Retaliation for wage complaints is illegal in most states. Document everything and consider filing with your state labor board.
Can I recover unpaid overtime?
Yes. If you worked over 40 hours/week and weren't paid time-and-a-half, you may recover the unpaid amount plus penalties.
What about my final paycheck?
Most states require final paychecks within days of termination. Late payment often triggers automatic penalties.
How far back can I claim unpaid wages?
Typically 2-3 years for federal claims, but state laws vary. Some states allow claims going back further.
Do I need to prove my hours?
Any evidence helps: timecards, emails with timestamps, text messages, witness statements, or reconstructed schedules.
Can I file anonymously?
Not typically, but there are strong anti-retaliation protections. Some claims through labor boards offer more privacy than lawsuits.
About FreeDemandLetter
FreeDemandLetter provides free, AI-powered demand letter generation with location-specific legal citations. Our content is reviewed by subject matter specialists and regularly updated to reflect current laws. We help thousands of people resolve disputes effectively—but we're not lawyers, and this isn't legal advice. For complex situations, consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.