Brazil’s Senate approves constitutional amendment to cut working week to 40 hours
Brazil's Senate approved a reduction of the maximum working week to 40 hours while keeping pay unchanged. The new rules could affect more than 37 million workers, and companies will get 14 months to transition.
Yulduz Salimov2 min read
Brazil's Senate on Wednesday, October 14, approved a constitutional amendment providing for a reduction of the maximum working week from 44 to 40 hours without any cut in pay. The initiative received broad support amid preparations for the second round of the presidential election, scheduled for October 25.
Seventy-five of 81 senators voted for the amendment, with one opposed. Both votes on the initiative ended with the same result. The only opponent of the amendment was former Brazilian vice president Hamilton Mourão.
The legislative initiative is backed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who is running in the presidential race against Flávio Bolsonaro. The latter voted for the amendment remotely while on a campaign trip in the south of the country. Earlier in the week he had spoken out against the measure.
Analysts and politicians view the shift in Flávio Bolsonaro's position as a tactical move by his allies in the Senate. In their assessment, backing the initiative allowed them to avoid blocking a measure that enjoys broad popularity, which could have hurt his campaign.
Transition period to last 14 months
The amendment provides for a 14-month transition period during which companies will have to move to the shortened working week. This is a compromise timeframe: business representatives and lawmakers who advocated a gradual introduction of the changes had previously proposed stretching the transition to 10 years.
Under the new rules, workers will receive a guaranteed two days off per week. According to estimates by the Brazilian government, the changes will affect more than 37 million people employed in various sectors of the economy.
Lula da Silva welcomed the approval of the amendment. The president is expected to formally sign the law on the reduction of working time next week. After it is signed, the document will enter into force, allowing the planned transition period to begin.
Source: rtarabic.com
