Politics · 2026-10-16 · Morning briefing

Brazil approves 40-hour work week ahead of presidential runoff

Brazil’s Senate has voted 75 to one to reduce the maximum working week from 44 to 40 hours with no reduction in pay. The reform, which affects an estimated 37 million formal-sector workers, ends the common "6x1" schedule of six work days and one day off, mandating two days off per week. The measure is set to take effect 60 days after its official promulgation.

The approval comes just ten days before a tight presidential runoff election. A recent Quaest poll gives candidate Flávio Bolsonaro a narrow lead of 47% to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s 45%. The shorter week was a core campaign promise for Lula. Bolsonaro, despite having expressed reservations and his party backing an alternative, ultimately voted in favour of the bill remotely from a campaign event.

The only dissenting vote was cast by Senator Hamilton Mourão, who served as vice president under Jair Bolsonaro. The legislative initiative originated not in congress but from a 2023 TikTok video by a pharmacy worker, Rick Azevedo, complaining of exhaustion. Azevedo subsequently founded the "Life Beyond Work" movement and was elected as a federal deputy on October 4th.

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• Brazil cuts work week to 40 hours in win for Lula ahead of runoff
• Brazil approves shorter workweek ahead of presidential runoff
• Brazil's Senate Approves 40-Hour Workweek Ahead of Presidential Runoff
• Brazil Approves 40-Hour Workweek, Bans 6-Day Shifts In Major Win For Lula Ahead Of Presidential Runoff
• Brazil Senate Approves 40-Hour Workweek

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