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Brazil moves to institutionalize two rest days per week, reduce working hours
🇬🇷 Greece /Economy & Trade

Brazil moves to institutionalize two rest days per week, reduce working hours

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • Brazil's Chamber of Deputies approved a constitutional amendment to reduce the workweek to 40 hours and establish two days of rest.
  • The measure, which aims to improve workers' quality of life, must still be approved by the Senate.
  • The proposed change, a key initiative of President Lula da Silva ahead of October elections, faces opposition from business leaders concerned about competitiveness and costs.

Brazil's Chamber of Deputies has approved a constitutional amendment that could significantly alter the country's labor landscape, moving towards a 40-hour workweek and mandating two days of rest per week. This legislative step is a notable achievement for President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as he campaigns for re-election in October.

The proposed reform, if passed by the Senate, would reduce the standard workweek from 44 hours to 40 without a corresponding pay cut. Currently, many workers have only one day of rest per week. "People will work five days and be able to rest two," Lula stated Tuesday during a rally in Amazonas state.

Labor unions and left-wing parties strongly support the reform, arguing it will enhance the quality of life and mental health for workers in Latin America's largest economy. Brazil historically faces low unemployment but a high rate of informal work. Federal Deputy Erika Hilton of the ruling party declared before the vote, "The 6-to-1 rhythm is inhuman, it steals hope and dignity... people need to work to live, not live to work."

People will work five days and be able to rest two.

— Luiz Inácio Lula da SilvaDescribing the proposed change to the workweek during a rally.

However, the amendment faces significant opposition from politicians and business leaders. They express concerns that reducing working hours could decrease national competitiveness, increase labor costs, and negatively impact employment rates. The Lula administration is actively promoting measures with a strong social impact as the presidential election approaches. President Lula, seeking a fourth term, is currently in a tight race according to polls against Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro.

Data cited in the reform proposal indicates that approximately 14.8 million Brazilians currently work six days a week, and 20.9 million work more than 44 hours weekly, out of a total population of 213 million. The International Labour Organization (ILO) notes that a 48-hour workweek is dominant across Latin America.

The 6-to-1 rhythm is inhuman, it steals hope and dignity... people need to work to live, not live to work.

— Erika HiltonArguing in favor of the labor reform before the vote in the Chamber of Deputies.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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