Brazil lower house approves 40 hour workweek amendment

Brazil's lower house of Congress approved a constitutional amendment Wednesday to establish a 40-hour, five-day workweek, moving the country closer to joining a regional trend of shortening working hours. The amendment, sponsored by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, would end the current six-day schedule and reduce the maximum workweek from 44 hours without reducing pay for at least 37 million workers.

The proposal guarantees two consecutive 24-hour rest days each week, preferably Saturdays and Sundays. Currently, many Brazilians work five eight-hour days and four hours on a sixth day. Lawmaker Paulo Pimenta, the government whip in the lower house, argued during the vote that people working Monday to Saturday schedules work the hardest and are paid the least, saying lawmakers needed to be brave and do justice.

The amendment passed after months of negotiation and pressure from constituents, with many opposition lawmakers supporting it. However, some critics voiced concerns about the economic impact. Lawmaker Kim Kataguiri stated that the change would be a problem for many companies and that workers might end up worse off if business leaders stop hiring. The approved text...