Brazil Approves 40-Hour Workweek Reform Ahead of Presidential Runoff

Brazil's senate has approved a constitutional amendment to ban six-day workweeks and lower the maximum weekly limit from 44 to 40 hours without any cut in pay. Seventy-five senators voted for the reform on Wednesday, while the lower house had already passed it in May. Only one senator voted against it: Hamilton Mourão, who previously served as vice-president to Jair Bolsonaro.

Political Impact

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva strongly championed the amendment to help his re-election campaign ahead of the presidential runoff on October 25. His far-right opponent, senator Flávio Bolsonaro, opposed the change for months before reversing his stance on Tuesday and voting for it remotely from the country's south. Polls showed the reform had support from more than 70 percent of the general population and over half of Bolsonaro's own voters. Political scientist Victor Escobar noted that the schedule change could give voters a sense of economic relief when they cast their ballots.

Timeline and Reach

The new rules will affect more than 30 million workers, particularly low-paid staff in retail, restaurants, and hotels. Sixteen million people currently work a six-day schedule. The change will not take effect before the runoff. After promulgation by Senate president Davi Alcolumbre, a 60-day period follows to abolish six-day workweeks and cut the maximum limit to 42 hours, followed by a further 14 months to reach 40 hours. Business leaders previously pushed for a much longer implementation period, while employer groups warned the plan could cause mass unemployment.

Context

Constitutional amendments in major democracies often require broad legislative majorities and go through extended periods of negotiation between lawmakers, labor groups, and business associations. Major labor law overhauls typically phase in new requirements gradually to give employers time to adjust operations and payroll systems. Such reforms frequently become central points of debate during high-stakes national elections where candidates vie for the support of working-class voters.