Brazil's Congress approves shorter workweek

Brazil's Senate approved a constitutional amendment on Wednesday to reduce the country's maximum workweek from 44 to 40 hours. The measure, which follows a lower house approval in May, will provide for two paid days off per week instead of one. According to the Daily Maverick and Free Malaysia Today, the reform will be implemented over a 14-month period and is estimated to benefit more than 37 million formal-sector workers. The Winnipeg Free Press notes the change will occur without a salary cut.

The labor reform has been championed by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva ahead of the October 25 presidential runoff. Le Monde English reports Lula is counting on the bill's passage to close the gap with his right-wing rival, Flavio Bolsonaro. While the Liberal Party previously opposed the measure, arguing it was designed to boost reelection prospects, the Daily Maverick and Free Malaysia Today report that the amendment was backed by lawmakers from across the political spectrum, including Senator Flavio Bolsonaro.

Brief written by urgent.news from Le Monde English, Daily Maverick, Free Malaysia Today, Winnipeg Free Press — 4 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.