Brazil cuts working week, giving some workers an extra day off

Brazil’s Congress has approved a constitutional amendment that will shorten the maximum working week and end six-day schedules, potentially affecting up to 30 million people. The change may benefit low-paid workers in retail, restaurants and hotels, and gives President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva a political boost ahead of the presidential runoff.

The amendment ends six-day workweeks after a 60-day wait once it is formally promulgated. The maximum week will first fall from 44 to 42 hours, then to 40 hours after a further 14 months; about 16 million Brazilians currently work six days a week. The vote comes as polls show Lula narrowing the gap with conservative rival Flávio Bolsonaro, who reversed his opposition to the measure.