Brazil's Lower House Approves 40-Hour Workweek for 37 Million Workers
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · May 28
Brazil's Lower House Approves 40-Hour Workweek for 37 Million Workers
11 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · May 28
A constitutional amendment passed Brazil’s lower house on Wednesday, ending the six-day, 44-hour workweek and sending the measure to the Senate.
The proposal caps the week at 40 hours, guarantees two consecutive 24-hour rest days—preferably Saturday and Sunday—and bars pay cuts for at least 37 million workers.
Lula backed the change ahead of October’s presidential election, and months of constituent pressure pushed many opposition lawmakers to support it despite warnings from business groups about hiring and costs.
Businesses would get 14 months to adapt, a compromise after some executives and lawmakers sought a phase-in lasting as long as 10 years.
If enacted, Brazil would join Chile and Mexico in cutting working hours, while Argentina is moving the other way under labor changes that lengthen shifts and remove overtime pay.
Can Brazilian companies adapt to a 40-hour week in just 14 months without passing the costs onto consumers?
While Brazil shortens workweeks, Argentina extends them. Which nation's bold labor experiment will prove more successful for its people?
On May 27, 2026, Brazil's Lower House approved a constitutional amendment reducing the standard workweek from 44 to 40 hours over five days, aiming to improve working conditions for about 37 million workers. The new law guarantees two consecutive rest days, preferably on weekends, and prohibits any wage reduction for affected employees. To help businesses adjust, a 14-month transition period was established, including temporary measures for paid weekly rest. This reform is expected to bring significant social benefits, though it also raises concerns about increased costs and challenges for businesses during the transition.