Brazil’s Congress has approved a constitutional amendment reducing the maximum working week from 44 to 40 hours, while guaranteeing employees two days off every week without a salary cut.
He had earlier criticised the proposal as an “opportunistic” election strategy. Lula, meanwhile, called his rival’s change of position “electoral opportunism”. “My body, and my mind in particular, are very tired,” she said.
The reform, described as the country’s most significant change to working hours since 1988, is expected to benefit more than 30 million workers, particularly those currently working six days a week, according to the BBC . The vote comes ahead of Brazil’s 25 October presidential run-off between President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and right-wing challenger Flávio Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, secured 47% in the first round, against Lula’s 45.2%.
“Most Brazilian workers want to see the end of the six-day workweek, so I’m going to vote in favour of ending it,” he said.
Despite previously opposing the reform, Bolsonaro voted in favour of it after acknowledging its popularity.
