Brazil's Congress approves shorter working week in win for Lula
Brazil's Congress has passed a constitutional amendment reducing the workweek from 44 to 40 hours without a salary cut. The measure, supported by President Lula, is expected to benefit 30 million workers and is seen as a significant political move ahead of the upcoming presidential runoff.
Why it matters
This represents the most significant labor reform in Brazil since 1988 and serves as a key campaign issue in a highly contested presidential election.
Image source, Cris Faga/NurPhoto via Getty Images Image caption, The measure had broad support and trade unions held rallies in its favour in recent weeks
Brazil's Congress has approved a constitutional amendment that will cut the working week from 44 hours to 40 and give employees two days off per week without cutting their salary.
The change represents the biggest overhaul to workers' rights since Brazil's return to democracy in 1988.
Senators passed the amendment, which left-wing President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva had championed, less than two weeks before a second round in the Latin American nation's presidential election.
Lula's supporters are hoping that its passage, which is estimated to benefit more than 30 million workers, will boost his chances of closing in on his right-wing rival, Flávio Bolsonaro, in the 25 October run-off.
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