On July 9, 2025, Mexico’s Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS) officially introduced the 2025 Federal Labor Inspection Program, setting new guidelines to strengthen oversight of labor rights compliance across the country. For the first time, artificial intelligence will be used to plan, schedule, and carry out over 43,000 federal labor inspections nationwide.
What’s changing?
The new Program, led by the Decent Work Unit and the General Directorate of Federal Labor Inspection, introduces the following key elements:
- Technology-driven inspections: Through the Labor Inspection Data Intelligence System (SIDIL), predictive models will be used to enhance planning and efficiency in the inspection process.
- Focus on strategic sectors: Inspections will prioritize key industries and promote alternative compliance mechanisms beyond traditional inspections.
- Inter-agency coordination: Cooperation agreements will be signed with agencies such as the Ministry of Economy, the Navy (SEMAR), and the Ministry of Environment (SEMARNAT) to improve the alignment of oversight actions.
- Promotion of voluntary compliance: Authorities highlighted progress under the Voluntary Labor Verification Program (VELAVO) as a valid alternative for registered workplaces.
Impact on employers
This new framework represents a turning point for workplaces throughout the country, which must now prepare for more sophisticated, targeted, and traceable inspections. The use of predictive technology will allow authorities to identify risk patterns more precisely. It is therefore essential to:
- Ensure full compliance with labor and occupational safety obligations.
- Maintain clear and organized documentation to support labor conditions.
- Consider enrolling in the VELAVO program as a preventive compliance strategy.
In light of this evolving inspection landscape, we encourage employers to reassess their internal processes and consider a proactive compliance audit. At Vega, Guerrero & Asociados, our specialized team is ready to help you navigate these new challenges with a strategic and agile approach aligned with the latest regulatory standards.
