Brazil is set to join other Latin American countries with a 40-hour, 5-day workweek
SAO PAULO — Brazil has joined other Latin American countries in shortening working hours, with the lower house approving a constitutional amendment on Wednesday establishing a 40-hour, five-day workweek.
This proposal has gained widespread popularity in Brazil, especially as the country gears up for presidential elections in October. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva sponsored the move and has been actively advocating for it. While labor rights groups have praised the amendment, the business sector has expressed strong criticism.
Currently, Brazilians work five eight-hour days and four hours on a sixth day, totaling 44 hours. The amendment eliminates the six-day workweek without reducing pay for at least 37 million people, establishing a 40-hour weekly work limit. It also guarantees two consecutive 24-hour rest days each week, preferably on Saturdays and Sundays.
Lawmaker Paulo Pimenta, Brazil’s government whip in the lower house, emphasized the importance of this change, stating, “People who have this workweek from Monday to Saturday are the ones that have to work the hardest and are paid the least. We need to be brave and do justice.”
While many opposition lawmakers eventually voted in favor of the amendment under pressure from their constituents, some continued to voice criticism, including lawmaker Kim Kataguiri who raised concerns about the potential impact on businesses.
The amendment provides businesses with 14 months to adapt, a key point in negotiations. Despite calls for a more gradual transition over 10 years, the amendment was passed with the support of lawmaker Leo Prates, who emphasized that it was crafted with consideration for workers and families in Brazil.
The amendment will now move to the upper house after late Wednesday’s vote in the lower house. The Senate is yet to schedule a vote, and potential changes could be made before final approval.
In the upcoming presidential elections, Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro has proposed a more flexible payment-by-the-hour strategy as an alternative to the current workweek system, which has garnered support from some business leaders.
Recent developments in other Latin American countries have also seen a shift towards shorter workweeks, with Mexico and Chile implementing similar changes to reduce working hours.
Argentina, however, has taken a different approach under President Javier Milei, potentially extending the workweek and implementing measures that labor unions argue favor companies over employees.
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AP journalists Megan Janetsky, Isabel DeBre, and Nayara Batschke contributed to this report from Mexico City, Buenos Aires, and Santiago.
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For more news on Latin America and the Caribbean, visit AP’s Latin America hub.
