Use this unpaid wages guide to build a clear demand letter for Tijuana.
Recovering Unpaid Wages in Tijuana, Mexico
Workers in Tijuana facing unpaid wages, withheld bonuses, or denied entitlements have strong legal protections under Mexican labor law. Whether you work in maquiladoras, manufacturing, call centers, retail, services, or any sector across Tijuana, 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.
Common wage issues in Tijuana include late payments, non-payment of overtime in maquiladoras, withheld aguinaldo, denied profit sharing, unpaid vacation premium, and disputes with foreign-owned companies operating in Mexico. Tijuana's maquiladora economy creates specific employment scenarios.
Importantly, Tijuana is in Mexico's northern border zone with higher minimum wage rates. The Centro Federal de Conciliación y Registro Laboral and labor courts provide dispute resolution. This guide explains your rights and the recovery process.
Mexican Laws Protecting Worker Wages in Tijuana
Mexican labor law provides comprehensive wage protections through the Ley Federal del Trabajo (LFT).
Article 123 of the Constitution establishes fundamental labor rights: minimum wage, maximum hours, overtime compensation, wage protection.
The LFT governs all employment relationships. Key provisions: wages paid weekly for manual workers and biweekly for others, payment in legal currency, wages cannot be reduced unilaterally, only authorized deductions permitted.
Tijuana is in the Zona Libre de la Frontera Norte (Northern Border Free Zone) with higher minimum wage rates than the general zone. Check current rates at CONASAMI.
Overtime under Article 67: first 9 hours weekly at 200%, additional at 300%.
Aguinaldo under Article 87: at least 15 days' wages by December 20.
Vacation and premium under Articles 76-81: minimum 12 days vacation, 25% premium.
Profit sharing (PTU) under Articles 117-131: workers share employer profits, paid in May.
Severance for unjustified termination: 3 months' salary plus 20 days per year.
The 2019 reform established mandatory conciliation at Centro Federal de Conciliación.
Maquiladora workers have the same rights as all Mexican workers. Foreign-owned companies operating in Mexico must comply with Mexican labor law.
Step-by-Step Guide to Recovering Unpaid Wages in Tijuana
Recovering wages involves using Mexico's labor justice system.
Gather evidence: employment contract, payroll receipts (recibos), bank statements, time records, calculations.
Confirm: minimum wage compliance (border zone rates), overtime at proper rates, aguinaldo, vacation premium, PTU.
Calculate: unpaid wages, overtime at 200%/300%, aguinaldo, vacation premium, PTU, severance.
Send written request: amounts owed, legal basis, deadline (7-14 days), intention to file complaint.
Prepare: employment documentation, payroll records, calculations, correspondence.
File with Centro Federal de Conciliación. 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.
If employer doesn't comply, enforcement includes asset seizure, garnishment.
Essential Evidence for Tijuana 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, 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 confirming working conditions.
IMSS Records
Social security: registration showing employment, reported salary.
Organize chronologically.
Critical Deadlines for Tijuana Wage Claims
Mexican law establishes specific timeframes.
Prescription Period (1 Year)
Most claims prescribe in 1 year from when due.
Severance Claims (2 Months)
Claims for unjustified termination: 2 months. Strict.
Aguinaldo Deadline
Must be paid by December 20. Claims run from this date.
PTU Deadline
Profit sharing: 60 days after tax return filing.
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.
Common Mistakes in Tijuana Wage Claims
Many workers weaken claims through errors.
Missing 2-Month Termination Deadline
Severance has strict 2-month limit.
Letting Claims Prescribe
Most prescribe in 1 year.
Not Keeping Payroll Receipts
Recibos are crucial evidence.
Accepting Finiquito Without Review
Don't sign without understanding.
Miscalculating Entitlements
Use official formulas. PROFEDET assists.
Not Using PROFEDET
Free legal assistance available.
Skipping Conciliation
Mandatory under 2019 reform.
Not Understanding Border Zone Rates
Tijuana has higher minimum wage than general zone.
Giving Up Easily
Persist through formal channels.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tijuana Wage Claims
Tijuana is in the Northern Border Free Zone with higher minimum wage than the general zone. Check CONASAMI for current rates.
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. All Mexican workers have same rights regardless of employer ownership.
3 months' integrated salary plus 20 days per year. File within 2 months.
No. Proceedings are accessible. PROFEDET provides free representation.
Free legal assistance for workers: advice, calculations, representation.
What to Expect in Tijuana Wage Claims
Understanding outcomes helps approach effectively.
Most resolve through: negotiation, conciliation, or court.
Often produces: agreed payment, payment schedules, 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: documentation, timely filing, organized presentation.
Judgments enforceable through asset seizure, garnishment.
Tijuana Wage Recovery Resources
Tijuana offers resources.
PROFEDET Baja California
Free legal assistance. Website: profedet.gob.mx.
Centro Federal de Conciliación y Registro Laboral
Mandatory pre-judicial conciliation.
Tribunales Laborales de Baja California
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.
Baja California Unpaid Wages Laws
Applicable Laws
- Ley Federal del Trabajo
- Constitución Art. 123
Small Claims Limit
MXN $500,000
Consumer Protection Agency
PROFEDET / Junta Local de Conciliación
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.