Brazil's Lower House passes historic reduction of workweek, ending 6‑day scale

The Brazilian Chamber of Deputies approved a constitutional amendment that ends the 6 × 1 work schedule and reduces the weekly workday to 40 hours without cutting wages. The measure, championed by President Luiz Inácio Lula and backed by the Workers' Party, passed the second‑round vote 461‑19 and now moves to the Senate, which must secure at least 49 of 81 votes. It establishes a transition period: after 60 days the limit will be 42 hours per week, and 14 months after promulgation it will become 40 hours, down from the current 44. Lula hailed the change as a “historic and civilizational” achievement that gives workers more family time and rest. The amendment also guarantees two days of weekly rest, preferably on Sundays, and applies across most occupations.