Tulum Workers Struggle Despite Wage Hike

Tulum, Quintana Roo — Despite the 13% increase in the minimum wage authorized by the federal government for 2026, unionized workers in Tulum assert that this adjustment does not represent a real improvement in their quality of life due to the high cost of the area and the recurring non-compliance with labor benefits by some companies.

Claudio Cortés, leader of the CROC, explained that the minimum wage will rise to 315 pesos per day in 2026; however, most employees in the tourism sector—such as housekeepers, cooks, janitorial staff, and maintenance workers—receive salaries tabulated differently from the minimum, established through collective contracts. These amounts, although higher in some cases, continue to be insufficient in the face of basic year-end expenses and family obligations.

“We live in an expensive area. Rents do not go below 3,500 to 4,000 pesos per month, and many workers are mothers who must pay for IMSS daycare. This is in addition to the basic food basket, services, and transportation. Even if the wage increases, it is not enough,” emphasized Cortés.

The union leader noted that some employees receive salaries of 12 to 13 days of wages per work period, in addition to a 10% savings fund. Nevertheless, annual increases fail to compensate for constant rises in food, housing, and services in a tourist destination where the cost of living exceeds the national average.

In addition to the economic lag, Cortés denounced that serious non-compliance with labor matters persists, especially in the coastal area of Tulum, where workers from various hotels have not received their corresponding Christmas bonus. In some cases, he stated, up to two full biweekly payments are owed, directly affecting the stability of hundreds of families during the holiday season.

“It is a fundamental right that workers receive their payment on time and in full. It cannot be that they continue to face delays in salaries and benefits just when they most need to bring sustenance to their homes,” he affirmed.

The CROC leader called on labor and municipal authorities to strengthen surveillance in workplaces and ensure that employees’ rights are respected, especially in a destination whose economy depends almost entirely on the tourism sector.