Union Endorses Riviera Maya Hotels Skipping Profit Sharing for 2026

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — At least two hotels in the Riviera Maya have reported zero fiscal earnings, leaving their workers without profit-sharing payments for 2026, according to a local union leader.

Uri Carmona Islas, head of the Revolutionary Confederation of Workers and Peasants (CROC) in the region, said those are the only hotels so far that will be exempt from the mandatory profit-sharing benefit. He declined to name the properties but noted that other hotels have until the end of the month to make the payments.

“Some have come up as zero,” Carmona Islas said. “Meetings with the companies have already begun, and we hope to reach a good outcome. It’s about the workers’ participation in the effort being recognized by the employer. There were two hotels with zero fiscal statements.”

Last year, the union identified three hotels that reported zero fiscal earnings, meaning they had no profits to distribute among workers.

“We will keep everyone informed, and workers who need advice — even if they are not affiliated with CROC — can come to us. Our doors are open,” Carmona Islas added.

Andrea Lotito, vice president of the Riviera Maya Hotel Association, explained that some hotels faced a difficult year and also allocated funds to manage sargassum seaweed.

“Companies, including hotels, may end the fiscal year with no profits even if they had good operational cash flow, because payroll, contributions, and taxes — plus legal deductions for things like costly sargassum management or renovations — can reduce net earnings,” Lotito said.

Last year, the Riviera Maya recorded an occupancy rate of 44%, a level not seen since the COVID-19 pandemic. Since profit sharing is based on the previous year’s earnings, the low occupancy has long-term consequences.

Under Mexican federal labor law, failure to pay profit sharing can lead to contract termination and require compensation to the worker.