Brazil's Senate approved a constitutional amendment on October 12, 2026, to reduce the workweek from 44 hours to 40 hours without a salary cut. This change is expected to provide President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva with a potential advantage over his opponent, Flavio Bolsonaro, in the presidential runoff scheduled for October 25. Lula is anticipated to sign the amendment into law next week.
The amendment, referred to as the "6x1" reform, aims to benefit more than 37 million workers, according to government estimates. Lula stated on social media that the reform represents more than just a change in working hours, emphasizing the importance of time for personal life and family.
While Lula's government has taken various steps to gain support before the runoff, including fuel tax cuts and debt pardons for small businesses, the workweek reduction has emerged as a significant promise. However, the legislation does not address workers in the informal economy, such as freelancers and delivery drivers.
Flavio Bolsonaro, a right-wing senator and son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, initially opposed the bill but announced his support following its popularity. Many businesses have expressed concerns that the legislation could increase their operational costs, and Bolsonaro has previously characterized the proposal as politically motivated.
In the first round of elections earlier this month, Bolsonaro received 47% of the vote, leading Lula but failing to secure the majority needed for an outright win. The ongoing campaign has been influenced by public concerns regarding crime rates, the influence of Evangelical churches, high business taxes, and overall economic dissatisfaction.