Brazilian Senate approves reduction of working week

The Senate of Brazil on Wednesday, October 14, approved a constitutional amendment that provides for reducing the maximum duration of the working week in the country from 44 to 40 hours without reducing wages.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is expected to sign a bill to shorten the working week next week after the bill was approved by the Senate in two rounds of voting with the same result: 75 votes to 1 in 81 members. The only vote against it was cast by former Vice President Hamilton Mourao.

“The amendment gives businesses 14 months to switch to a reduced work week, a key stumbling block in negotiations. Many business executives and lawmakers wanted the changes to be made gradually over 10 years.

The amendment to the Constitution establishes a 40-hour work week and two days of rest without reducing wages. According to the government, the new rules could affect more than 37 million workers.

Recent polls have shown widespread support for the measure, despite opposition from many business owners. Some officials said in their statements that they believed the new schedule would raise the cost of living.