Brazil’s Congress approves phased cut to a 40-hour working week

Brazil's Congress has approved a constitutional amendment to ban six-day working weeks and gradually reduce the maximum working week from 44 to 40 hours. Fortune reports that the Senate passed it by 75–1 in each of two voting rounds, but that informal workers would not be covered.

The Senate approved the amendment on 14 October, after the lower house passed it in May. Approval does not bring the changes into effect immediately.

Two rest days, but no coverage for informal workers

Fortune's 15 October report says the amendment establishes two rest days without reducing pay. Both votes took place in the 81-member Senate.

People working in the informal economy—outside the formal employment system—including freelancers and delivery drivers, would not be affected by the legislation, Fortune reports.

Who would be affected

The Guardian reported on 15 October that 16 million people work six-day weeks and that the reduction in the weekly hours limit would cover more than 30 million workers. Some would gain an extra day off. The change is expected to affect mainly workers in shops, restaurants and hotels, most of whom are low-paid.

Marilane Oliveira Teixeira, a professor and researcher at a study centre at the University of Campinas, said having only one day off leaves workers little room for a social life. She said the harmful effects could include illness, workplace risks and exhaustion, especially for women who also carry the burden of unpaid domestic work.

Employers' associations opposed to the change have argued that it could cause mass unemployment, the Guardian reports.