Brazil Approves 40‑Hour Work Week, Boosting Lula Ahead of Runoff

Brazil's Congress passed a constitutional amendment that caps the work week at 40 hours, effectively banning six‑day schedules. The change could impact up to 30 million workers, giving many an additional day off each week.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has promoted the amendment as a key achievement in the final weeks before the presidential runoff. The move is seen as an effort to consolidate support for his left‑leaning administration against far‑right challenger Flávio Bolsonaro.

The amendment requires a constitutional revision, meaning the new limit will be entrenched in law and cannot be easily reversed by future governments.

Why It Matters

The shift aligns Brazil with European‑style work‑hour standards and may influence labor policy debates in other large economies.