Brief
Brazil Senate passes 40‑hour workweek amendment backed by Lula
The amendment cleared the Senate with two votes and is expected to be signed into law next week.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Brazil’s Senate approved a constitutional amendment on Wednesday to reduce the country’s maximum workweek from 44 to 40 hours without cutting pay, a reform promoted by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as a boost to his re‑election campaign.
What happened
The Senate voted in two rounds, each yielding an overwhelming majority in favor of the amendment. President Lula is expected to sign the measure into law next week, completing the legislative process.
What the reports add
The Associated Press noted that many lawmakers who had previously blocked the initiative aligned with the president’s allies for the vote. The article also highlighted recent polls showing broad public support for the shorter workweek, despite opposition from some business owners.
What was said
Senate President Davi Alcolumbre exclaimed, “Didn’t I say this was going to work?” after the first vote was announced, as reported by the AP. Political scientist Mayra Goulart of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro said, “The majority of voters have already chosen their candidate, so any shift in approval can determine the election,” also cited by the AP.
How it came about
Lula has launched a series of populist measures in the days before the Oct. 25 runoff, including fuel‑tax cuts, extended subsidies, debt pardons for more than 3.6 million small businesses, and increased welfare payments for university students. The workweek change is described as the centerpiece of these efforts. Former President Jair Bolsonaro, who led the first‑round vote by 2.2 million votes, publicly supported the amendment on Tuesday, reversing his earlier opposition.
Key facts
- Brazil’s Senate approved a constitutional amendment to cut the maximum workweek to 40 hours without wage cuts. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- The amendment passed in two votes with an overwhelming majority. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- President Lula is expected to sign the amendment into law next week. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- Senate President Davi Alcolumbre praised the outcome, saying it proved his prediction. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- Political scientist Mayra Goulart said the reform could sway voter approval ahead of the runoff. (winnipegfreepress.com)
Sources
- [1] winnipegfreepress.com — originally reported as “Brazil's Senate approves a shorter workweek in major win for Lula ahead of runoff”
