Brazil's Congress has approved a constitutional amendment to reduce the maximum workweek from 44 to 40 hours without cutting salaries. The measure, which the government has pushed for months, provides for two paid days off per week instead of the current one.
This legislation will end the 6x1 work schedule, which currently affects some 16 million Brazilians. In total, the move could impact up to 30 million workers across the country.
The approval marks a political victory for President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who strongly championed the amendment. The measure serves as a potential lifeline for Lula as he seeks to close the gap with his opponent, far-right senator Flávio Bolsonaro, ahead of the presidential runoff on October 25.