Brazil Ends Six-Day Work Week in Boost for Lula’s Reelection Bid

The new legislation mandates a 40-hour work week without reducing employee salaries, effectively granting millions of citizens an additional day of rest. President Lula hailed the decision as a historic milestone, framing the reduction as a fundamental necessity for workers to balance professional demands with family life and personal well-being. By removing the previous 44-hour requirement, the government aims to address widespread public fatigue in sectors like retail, hospitality, and dining.

This legislative victory arrives at a critical juncture for the incumbent. Facing a competitive race against Flávio Bolsonaro—the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro—Lula is seeking to regain ground among service-sector workers who have drifted away from his coalition since 2022. Analysts suggest the move is strategically timed to consolidate support, particularly as even his political opponents have been forced to pivot and express public approval for the popular reform.