Brazil’s Congress has approved a constitutional amendment to reduce the maximum working week to 40 hours, marking a significant victory for President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva just ahead of the presidential runoff scheduled for October 25. This reform is set to impact over 30 million workers by reducing their working hours and ending the prevalent six-day workweek.
The Senate voted overwhelmingly in favor of the amendment, which had previously passed the lower house in May. With 75 senators supporting the measure and only one opposing, the reform aims to enhance work-life balance, particularly in sectors like retail, restaurants, and hotels, where six-day schedules are common.
Currently, many Brazilian workers adhere to a six-day workweek with only one day off. The reform will gradually reduce the maximum weekly working hours from 44 to 40, allowing eligible workers more time for rest, family responsibilities, and personal activities. Lula has been a strong advocate for the change, emphasizing that workers deserve increased family time and better quality of life. This approval is likely to bolster his electoral campaign, especially among low-income workers who endure long working hours with minimal rest opportunities.
Flávio Bolsonaro, Lula’s opponent and a far-right senator, initially opposed the proposal, cautioning that it might result in unemployment. However, he shifted his stance before the Senate vote, acknowledging the public’s support for the reform.
The proposal originated from a grassroots campaign pushing for improved balance between employment and personal life, later receiving backing from Lula’s political party. Proponents argue that reducing working hours could enhance workers’ physical and mental well-being, along with providing more opportunities for education and family care.
Labor researchers point out the challenges faced by employees with only one day off each week, noting that such schedules can lead to exhaustion, workplace risks, and limited social opportunities, particularly for women who also manage significant unpaid domestic duties.
Despite its approval, the reform will not take effect immediately. Following formal promulgation, a 60-day period will precede the transition, during which the maximum working week will initially decrease to 42 hours before reaching 40 hours after a further 14 months. This decision comes at a pivotal moment in Brazil’s presidential election campaign, providing Lula with a platform to showcase progress in workers’ rights and economic well-being as he competes against Flávio Bolsonaro.