AI Image
Brazil's Congress approves shorter working week in win for Lula
BBC • • world
Key Points:
- Brazil's Congress approved a constitutional amendment reducing the workweek from 44 to 40 hours and granting employees two days off per week without a salary cut, benefiting over 30 million workers.
- The amendment, championed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, was passed by the Senate with a 75-1 vote, shortly before the country's presidential runoff election on October 25.
- Flávio Bolsonaro, Lula's right-wing rival and son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, reversed his opposition and voted in favor, citing the measure's popularity among Brazilian workers.
- Supporters argue the change will improve worker productivity and quality of life, while critics warn it may increase production costs and consumer prices.
- The reduction will be phased in gradually over more than a year, with initial cuts to 42 hours before reaching 40 hours per week, and many workers, like supermarket cashier Luciana de Almeida, anticipate significant personal benefits.
