Brazil’s Senate Approves a Shorter Workweek in Major Win for Lula Ahead of Runoff – WTOP News
He reversed his long opposition as the amendment would cut weekly hours to 40 and could affect more than 37 million workers, officials said.
- On Tuesday, Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro announced he would back a constitutional amendment to end the 6×1 workweek, reversing his previous opposition ahead of the October 25 presidential runoff.
- The proposed constitutional amendment would lower Brazil's weekly work cap from 44 to 40 hours with two paid rest days, gaining momentum as labor groups demand structural changes to the country's labor rights.
- While business groups argue the measure could 'increase costs and hurt competitiveness,' political analysts suggest the endorsement helps Flavio broaden appeal among working-class voters before the election.
- Senate President Davi Alcolumbre scheduled the first-round vote for Wednesday, October 14, following the Chamber of Deputies' passage of the text on May 27.
- Although Flavio signaled he may seek future reviews of the measure, the shift marks rare alignment between Brazil's main political blocs on labor reform just days before the runoff.
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The outgoing left-wing leader hopes that the reduction in weekly working time from forty-four hours to forty hours will strengthen his position in the second round of the presidential election on 25 October. His rival, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, who had opposed the reform, voted in favour.
Brazil approved today to reduce the work week, one of President Lula's bets to trace his disadvantage to Bolsonaro.
The Brazilian Senate approved the proposal to reduce working time in Brazil from 44 to 40 hours per week. This proposal was promoted by the head of state, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, eleven days after the presidential election. (ANSA)
Brazil’s Senate approves a shorter workweek in major win for Lula ahead of runoff – WTOP News
SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s Senate approved a constitutional amendment Wednesday to reduce the country’s maximum workweek from 44 to 40 hours without a salary cut, a move backed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who hopes it will boost his standing against Flávio Bolsonaro in the Oct. 25 presidential runoff. Lula is expected...
Brazil's Senate approves a shorter workweek in major win for Lula
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who is running for reelection, attends a ceremony to sign a decree regulating the video game industry in Brasilia, Brazil, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)
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