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.
- Brazil approved a shorter maximum working week.
- Six-day schedules will be phased out.
- The change comes ahead of a close presidential runoff.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Ending routine six-day schedules and reducing maximum hours could give workers more time for family, rest and recovery, while improving quality of life for people in low-paid sectors who have limited bargaining power. A staged reduction gives employers time to adapt, and supporters may see the reform as a fairer sharing of productivity gains.
The case against
A shorter working week could raise staffing costs or make it harder to cover shifts, particularly for small businesses in retail, restaurants and hotels, potentially leading to higher prices, reduced hiring or fewer hours for some workers. Critics may also argue that a uniform constitutional limit is less adaptable than negotiated arrangements across industries, especially if productivity does not rise enough to offset the change.