Abstract

This paper presents the evolution of the laws, norms and programs developed in Mexico for the promotion of welfare in the workplace. In Mexico since the 1990s, the obligation to monitor psychosocial risks at work was included in labour legislation, but without definitions of companies´ responsibilities and a lack of competencies of the labour authorities to surveille and enforce it. This situation resulted in an absence of surveillance and prevention of psychosocial risk factors and wellbeing promotion in most work sites. Subsequently, with the labour law update in 2012, this law included the obligation to promote decent work and the prohibition of mobbing and sexual harassment, the federal regulations on occupational safety and health were updated and included the actions to prevent psychosocial risks and as something new for Mexico, the companies´ obligation to promote favourable organisational environments and health promotion programs. As a result of these changes, a technical standard for the evaluation of psychosocial risks was issued and the Labour Secretary established a National Program for Emotional Well-being and Human Development to promote workers´ wellbeing, this program that has been very successful in its implementation in workplaces. This program follows the ILO SOLVE method, integrating the prevention of psychosocial risks, the improvement of organisational culture of prevention, and activities to promote healthy habits and behaviours.