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Brazil's Congress approves shorter working week in win for Lula
Overview
Brazil's Congress has approved a constitutional amendment reducing the working week from 44 to 40 hours with two days off and no salary reduction, marking a major workers' rights overhaul championed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva ahead of the presidential run-off.
Key points
- Brazil's Congress approved a constitutional amendment cutting the working week from 44 to 40 hours.
- The change guarantees employees two days off per week without any cut to their salary.
- The measure is estimated to benefit more than 30 million workers and represents the biggest overhaul to workers' rights since 1988.
- Senators backed the amendment overwhelmingly by 75 votes to one, following its earlier approval in the Chamber of Deputies.
- Right-wing presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro dropped his opposition and voted in favour due to the measure's high popularity.
- Critics warn the change will raise production costs and consumer prices, while supporters argue it will improve worker productivity and well-being.