Brazil approves 40-hour work week in Lula-backed reform
· World · BBC News, Outlook India
Brazil's Congress has approved a constitutional amendment reducing the work week from 44 to 40 hours and guaranteeing two days off without salary reduction. The change, championed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, passed the Senate by 75 votes to one less than two weeks before the presidential runoff. Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, reversed his opposition and voted in favour, citing the measure's popularity. The reform is estimated to benefit over 30 million workers and follows approval in the Chamber of Deputies in May. Lula celebrated the vote as a major workers' rights advance since Brazil's return to democracy in 1988. Opinion polls indicate nearly 70% of Brazilians support the shorter work week.
Why it matters
Over 30 million Brazilian workers will gain two days off per week without loss of pay, directly improving their rest and family time. Employers may face higher production costs that could be passed on to consumers as higher prices.
Read the original report — BBC News
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