Brazil's Senate has approved a constitutional amendment to reduce the standard workweek from 44 to 40 hours without a corresponding cut in salaries. The controversial legislative move is widely viewed as a tactical maneuver intended to give President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva a political edge over his opponent ahead of the high-stakes presidential runoff scheduled for October 25.

The leftist leader's administration has rolled out a flurry of populist measures in recent days to shore up declining support, including fuel tax extensions, additional subsidies, and debt relief pledges for millions of small businesses. Critics argue that the rushed push to trim work hours is primarily motivated by electoral desperation rather than sound economic policy, as the country grapples with persistent structural challenges and widespread voter dissatisfaction.

While government officials claim the so-called "6x1" reform will benefit over 37 million workers, analysts point out significant exclusions, notably leaving out millions in the shadow economy, such as delivery drivers and independent contractors. Business associations have strongly criticized the legislation, warning that mandatory hour reductions will inflate operational costs in an already strained economic environment.

Flavio Bolsonaro, a right-wing senator and son of imprisoned former President Jair Bolsonaro, initially opposed the measure, arguing it was a transparent election gimmick. However, facing immense public momentum, he reversed his stance to support the bill. In the first round of voting earlier this month, Bolsonaro dealt Lula a notable setback by leading the polls, highlighting deep societal friction and economic discontent across Brazil.

Source: www.dw.com