Brazil’s Senate approves shorter workweek in win for Lula

Brazil's Senate recently approved a constitutional amendment to reduce the country's workweek from six days to five days, a move that provides President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva with a significant legislative victory less than two weeks before the presidential runoff. The popular labor reform was supported by lawmakers from various political backgrounds in both votes required, including Lula's opponent in the runoff, right-wing Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, who had previously opposed the measure.

The Senate approved the amendment after the lower house gave its approval in May, reducing working hours in Brazil's largest economy to 40 hours per week from 44. This amendment marks the most substantial overhaul of Brazilian labor rights in decades, benefiting over 37 million formal-sector workers over a 14-month period. Lula, who is seeking his fourth non-consecutive term, has been a strong advocate for this measure, emphasizing the additional time for workers to live, rest, spend time with family, care for their children, and enjoy their lives.

Bolsonaro, who led Lula in the election's first round on earlier this month, eventually switched his position on Tuesday ahead of the Senate vote, stating that he would indeed vote to shorten the workweek.