Hotel Workers in Quintana Roo Speak Out on Abuse

Cancún, Quintana Roo — A significant increase in labor conciliation hearings has been reported in Quintana Roo this year, rising from 400 to over 600 per week, with hotel employees filing the majority of complaints. Many of these cases stem from unjustified dismissals, marking a shift as workers become more vocal about their rights.

Rising Complaints and Conciliation Efforts

Iván Andrés Figueroa Reina, Director General of the Quintana Roo Labor Conciliation Center, stated that Playa del Carmen has seen the most notable surge in cases. This trend follows awareness campaigns informing workers of their rights and the proper channels for filing complaints.

Previously, many affected employees approached outdated conciliation boards that no longer held legal authority to mediate disputes between employers and workers. Now, with better guidance, employees are more informed about initiating formal procedures to defend their rights.

“Many workers come forward to report violations, but they often miss deadlines because they’re unsure whether to approach the local board or the Conciliation Center,” Figueroa Reina added.

Unjust Dismissals Remain Primary Concern

The leading cause of complaints among Quintana Roo’s hotel employees continues to be unjustified terminations. However, approximately 70% of these cases reach a conciliation agreement, while the remaining 30% proceed to court.

Figueroa Reina noted that both employers and employees often misunderstand the role of the Conciliation Center, which solely focuses on facilitating agreements between parties. If no resolution is reached, the center issues a non-conciliation letter, allowing the worker to file a formal complaint with the appropriate labor courts.