Laws for working in Mexico

[garybutch]

Last time I was in Playa my wife and i talked with a bartender about buying a bar /restaraunt.We sat at the bar talking and he told us the owner was sitting at table in the back of the place and really could not work in the front of the house ,and if he needed something he would have to talk to his staff in the back .We were informed that we could own the place but not work in it because this would take a job a way from a local .Is this true??I have worked in the buisness for 20 plus years and would have loved to open a great place in town but if a can't bartend or cook in my own place and to run it the way i would like i would be very diappointed .

[Sunny20]

I think it should not be a problem. He probably does have a retirement FM3 which is not valid for working in MX, that's why. But I don't think he would take a job from a mexican because he's the owner. Don't really understand the problem.

[Heather]

Actually, it's not that uncommon. It's true of many of the bar owners I know. They can do the "behind the scenes" stuff, but I don't think it's always possible for them to tend bar or cook.

[Anna Tortuga]

I think Heather is right; as a foreign owner, I think you can just be the manager ( meaning not serve at tables or at the bar), and have a certain number of Mexican employees in the restaurant. Many of the people I know that had/have bars, could not serve.

[Mindbender]

Your visa will only entitle you to manage, not to serve.

Don't consider trying to bend the rules as immigration will come down hard on you. Fines, imprisonment, temp/perm closure your business, or even deportation are all options.

Buying a bar/restaurant is a lottery here. Location and what time of the year you start is everything. 5th Avenue has hot and cold spots and the rents are high.

You need to be very careful when hiring and firing so to protect yourself from the labour courts.

Keeping staff is a common frustration too as they change jobs like underwear and usually with no warning.

Getting good legal advice, seeing the books, checking leases and seeing any area development plans are other important considerations.

Good luck!

[garybutch]

Thank you all for you replys!! 9 Days and counting

[ANDY&JEN]

What mindbender said and more !!!
I had a place and got frustrated daily with what i could and couldnt do, what made it worse that if my staff didnt turn up (quite common) i had to close so lost quite a few days revenue and there are lots of 'holiday days' where you have to pay double or again close... its hard .

.

[Mindbender]

I've mentioned some of these ideas before, but I think Playa could do with them:

1. Skip hire

2. Courier bicycle service

3. Seafront boat trips. Nothing fancy, just up and down to get a view of the place.

[playawannabe]

Originally Posted by Mindbender

I've mentioned some of these ideas before, but I think Playa could do with them:

1. Skip hire

2. Courier bicycle service

3. Seafront boat trips. Nothing fancy, just up and down to get a view of the place.

What's a skip hire??

[Sunny20]

Originally Posted by ANDY&JEN

What mindbender said and more !!!
I had a place and got frustrated daily with what i could and couldnt do, what made it worse that if my staff didnt turn up (quite common) i had to close so lost quite a few days revenue and there are lots of 'holiday days' where you have to pay double or again close... its hard .

.

Wow..
It is quite common that people don't show up.. That's really bad.

And is it the same for Mexican owners or just for foreigners?

[Mindbender]

Originally Posted by playawannabe

What's a skip hire??

A skip is large metal box that is unloaded off the back of a lorry. It is left there for builder's/household waste then picked up and taken to a dump.

Some come with a lockable lid to stop the whole neighbourhood filling it with their old mattresses etc.

[playawannabe]

Originally Posted by Mindbender

A skip is large metal box that is unloaded off the back of a lorry. It is left there for builder's/household waste then picked up and taken to a dump.

Some come with a lockable lid to stop the whole neighbourhood filling it with their old mattresses etc.

Ah, we call those dumpsters here. I get it. I am afraid to ask what normally happens with garbage - is there any kind of pick up system or do youhave to take it to the landfill yourself???

[Heather]

Originally Posted by playawannabe

Ah, we call those dumpsters here. I get it. I am afraid to ask what normally happens with garbage - is there any kind of pick up system or do youhave to take it to the landfill yourself???

What do you think they use to make the purified ice cubes for the AI resorts?

We just put our trash at the curb and the truck comes by every day at some point to collect it. Mostly they even get to it before the dogs do.

[Mindbender]

Originally Posted by Sunny20

Wow..
And is it the same for Mexican owners or just for foreigners?

The same in this area, but foreigners are more at risk because they're all shiny and new etc. There are some cases of staff trying to get sacked so they can sue you in the labour court. Contracts and resignation letters stating 'I have no claims or complaints' rule. Some employers get you to sign a resignation letter the day you join and just add the date when you leave to avoid any complications.

This is not true of all Mexico. Many businesses employ staff from out of state who have a different work ethic.

[Mindbender]

Rubbish collection is actually very good in Playa, often twice a day in our area.

It's then taken to landfills off the highway, when they've got enough ice