Brazil's Congress approves shorter workweek, a Lula pledge ahead of runoff

Brazil's Senate has approved a constitutional amendment to reduce the maximum workweek from 44 to 40 hours without a salary cut, giving President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva a major legislative victory ahead of the October 25 runoff election against Flávio Bolsonaro.

The constitutional reform passed the Senate with 75 votes in favor and just one against. The bill targets working-class Brazilians, who currently work six days a week, a schedule known as "6x1." While Lula has made improved working conditions a key plank of his campaign, Bolsonaro has proposed a plan to cut public spending, inspired by Argentina's Javier Milei.