Brazil cuts work week to 40 hours in win for Lula ahead of runoff

Brazil's Congress has approved a constitutional amendment that limits the workweek to a maximum of 40 hours, a move that could impact up to 30 million workers and bolster President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's political standing ahead of the presidential runoff. The amendment, which will provide some workers with an additional day off each week, was championed by Lula to counter his opponent's first-round lead, far-right senator Flávio Bolsonaro.

Despite initial opposition from Bolsonaro and his party, the reform passed the lower house in May and received Senate approval on Wednesday. The change will affect mainly workers in retail, restaurants, and hotels, primarily low-paid individuals who Lula had lost support from following the 2022 election. Lula celebrated the amendment's passage, emphasizing the benefits for workers' lives, rest, family time, and personal well-being.

The amendment is expected to resonate with voters, potentially influencing Lula's re-election campaign. While the changes will not take effect until after the runoff on October 25, its approval demonstrates public support for the shift towards a healthier work-life balance.