Brazil’s Senate Approves 40-Hour Workweek in Constitutional Amendment

Brazil's Senate voted overwhelmingly to approve a constitutional amendment on October 14th that will reduce the maximum workweek from 44 hours to 40. The measure received 75 votes in favor and only one vote against. The amendment will phase out the traditional six-day workweek, replacing it with a five-day schedule and guaranteeing two days of paid rest each week.

Transitioning to the new limits will take 14 months, as the weekly work limit will first decrease to 42 hours after promulgation, with a final reduction to 40 hours a year later. The reform targets the escala 6×1 system, where workers traditionally complete six days of work and one day off. Brazilian press reports suggest the amendment could come into effect next week, pending final formal promulgation.

Once implemented, Brazilian workers will have more time for family, education, and leisure, while businesses will need to adjust their operations, potentially hiring more staff or managing overtime to meet the new limits. When compared to other countries, Brazil's eventual 40-hour workweek will be shorter than Colombia's current maximum of 42 hours.

Colombia completed its gradual reduction of maximum work hours to 42 in 2026. Chile is also moving towards a 40-hour workweek, with the final reduction set for 2028, while annual working hours in Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands are higher compared to Brazil and Colombia. The economic impact of the reform is still a subject of debate, with estimates ranging from a minor increase in hourly labor costs to potentially higher costs for businesses that need to maintain output.