Brazil’s Congress has officially approved a constitutional amendment to reduce the maximum workweek from 44 to 40 hours. This significant legislative change is expected to affect approximately 30 million workers across the country and provides a notable political boost to leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva just weeks before the presidential runoff election.
The reform, which passed the lower house in May, was confirmed on Wednesday after 75 senators voted in its favor. The only senator to vote against the measure was Hamilton Mourão, who served as vice-president under Jair Bolsonaro. The amendment targets the elimination of six-day workweeks, a schedule currently utilized by 16 million people. The reduction is expected to have the most significant impact on low-paid workers in sectors such as retail, restaurants, and hotels—a demographic where Lula has struggled to maintain support since his 2022 election victory.
Lula expressed his support for the legislation on social media, stating that ending the 6×1 schedule provides workers with more time for rest, family, and personal development. The initiative originated from a TikTok movement titled "Life Beyond Work," which was launched by a pharmacy assistant and subsequently gained political momentum.
Far-right senator Flávio Bolsonaro, who had previously opposed the measure for months, reversed his stance on Tuesday, citing support from the majority of Brazilian workers. Despite his pivot, he noted his preference for an alternative proposal that would base pay on hours actually worked and indicated that he might review parts of the amendment if elected. In May, he had warned that the change could lead to "mass unemployment," a concern echoed by several employers' associations.
The implementation of the new law will be gradual. Following its promulgation by Senate president Davi Alcolumbre, a 60-day period will precede the initial reduction of the maximum workweek from 44 to 42 hours, with the final shift to 40 hours occurring after an additional 14 months.
Researchers and advocates have long highlighted the negative physical and social impacts of the six-day workweek. Marilane Oliveira Teixeira, a researcher at the University of Campinas, noted that such schedules often prevent a basic social life and contribute to exhaustion and workplace risks, particularly for women managing domestic responsibilities. Lilian Cristo dos Santos, a 50-year-old saleswoman in Salvador, emphasized the difficulty of balancing a single day off with household and medical needs.
While the presidential runoff is set for 25 October, political analysts suggest the approval could influence voter sentiment. Victor Escobar, a researcher at the Laboratory of Parties, Elections and Comparative Politics, stated that the change may help Lula’s campaign by offering voters a sense of relief regarding their economic well-being. Despite the current race appearing tight, Lula continues to focus on social media engagement and the announcement of benefits, such as debt relief for microentrepreneurs, to reach undecided voters.
