Brazil Senate Approves Lula's Bill Cutting Work Week to 40 Hours

On Wednesday, the Brazilian Parliament approved a legislative measure that reduces working hours. The bill is championed by left-wing President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who hopes it will secure votes for the second round of the presidential election after conservative rival Flávio Bolsonaro took the lead in the first round.

Details of the Labor Reform

This reform, which the Lula government has promoted for months, allows many Brazilians to increase their paid weekly rest days from one to two. It also cuts the standard work week from 44 hours to 40 hours.

Reducing working time has been a central slogan during recent large pro-Lula demonstrations in major Brazilian cities.

Legislative Passage and Context

The Senate adopted the reform with a vote of 75 in favor against one opposed. This follows its earlier approval by the Chamber of Deputies last May.

Omar Aziz, the rapporteur for the bill in the Senate, described the passage as "the most important victory achieved by Brazilian workers since the 1988 constitution."