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September 16 is one of the mandatory rest days in Mexico, so those who must work during Independence Day have the right to receive additional payment, in accordance with what is established by the Federal Labor Law (LFT). In 2026, the celebration will fall on a Wednesday, so there will be no change of date for the rest day as often happens with other holidays.
One of the most common questions during the patriotic festivities is whether Tuesday, September 15, is also considered a holiday. The answer is no; although it is the date on which the traditional Grito de Independencia takes place, it is not considered a mandatory rest day under Article 74 of the LFT.
Therefore, if you work on September 15, your salary will be the usual one, and there is no legal obligation to receive extra pay. Some companies may grant a half-day off or modify the schedule, but this is an internal benefit or by mutual agreement between employer and employees.
In contrast, Wednesday, September 16, is a mandatory rest day, according to Article 74. It should be mentioned that the Federal Labor Law defines holidays as days that are non-working and considered mandatory rest days.
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In the event that work is required on one of these days, the employer and their employees must agree on the number of people who will provide their services and must provide higher pay.
If your employer requires you to work during that day, Article 75 establishes that you must receive, in addition to the salary corresponding to the rest day, double salary for the service performed. This means that for working on that day, you are entitled to three times your daily salary in total, or triple salary in simple terms.
For example: if your daily salary is 500 pesos and you work on September 16, you must receive the 500 pesos corresponding to the mandatory rest day, plus another 1,000 pesos for having worked.
In total, the payment corresponding to that day would be 1,500 pesos. The obligation applies regardless of whether the worker has to provide their services during a part or all of the agreed-upon workday.
The LFT also establishes that workers and employers must determine who will provide their services during mandatory rest days. Therefore, if your company requires you to work on Wednesday, September 16, there must be prior organization of the workday as well as a clear agreement on how much the company or your employer is obligated to pay you.
If you have doubts about the payment you are entitled to, you can check your payroll receipt and ask your employer to break down the concept corresponding to the holiday.
Will there be a long weekend for September 16?
As mentioned, the Federal Labor Law only considers Wednesday, September 16, 2026, as a mandatory rest day and, because it falls midweek, it will not warrant a long weekend.
For its part, the calendar of the Public Education Secretariat (SEP) also does not mark a long weekend, as it considers September 15 as a day of reflection with regular academic activities and the 16th as a day off.
[Publicidad]