Brazil's Senate approves shorter workweek ahead of election

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 02:33 · Archive

Brazil's Senate has approved a constitutional amendment to reduce the maximum workweek from 44 to 40 hours without cutting salaries.

Brazil's Senate approved a constitutional amendment on Wednesday to reduce the country's maximum workweek from 44 to 40 hours without a salary cut. The measure passed with an overwhelming majority in two votes, with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who is running for re-election, backing the initiative.

Lula is expected to sign the shorter workweek into law next week. The amendment was timed between the first and second rounds of the presidential election, with the runoff scheduled for October 25 against Flávio Bolsonaro. Many lawmakers from the opposition initially blocked the measure for months before changing course.

Recent polls showed widespread public support for the shorter workweek, though many business owners opposed it. A political scientist from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro suggested that any shift in approval ratings could determine the election outcome.

Lula has pursued multiple measures in recent days to boost support before the runoff, including new fuel tax cuts, extended subsidies, a pledge to pardon debts for more than 3.6 million small businesses, blocking cell phone signals around prisons, and increased payments for a university students' welfare programme.

How it is being reported

• Brazil's Senate approves a shorter workweek in major win for Lula ahead of runoffBrazil’s Senate has approved a constitutional amendment to reduce the maximum workweek from 44 to 40 hours without cutting salaries.News4Jax · 15 Oct, 02:13
• Brazil's Senate approves a shorter workweek in major win for Lula ahead of runoffBrazil’s Senate has approved a constitutional amendment to reduce the maximum workweek from 44 to 40 hours without cutting salaries.Clickorlando · 15 Oct, 02:13

In this story: Brazil · Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva · Flávio Bolsonaro · Davi Alcolumbre · Mayra Goulart

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