Brazil Approves Shift to Five-Day Workweek, Two Days Off

On October 16, the Brazilian Congress promulgated a constitutional amendment that will replace the current six‑day workweek with one day off (6x1) by a five‑day workweek with two days off (5x2). The change, which will take effect within two months, was adopted in a formal session attended by Senate President Davi Alcolumbre, House of Representatives President Hugo Motta, and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, while opposition leaders did not attend. The amendment follows a public survey showing 73 % of Brazilians support a shorter workweek. Senate President Alcolumbre described the reform’s impacts as “incalculable,” emphasizing the value of time for personal care and family. President Lula praised the measure and warned that opponents feared it would bankrupt companies, a claim he dismissed by citing past successful labor reforms.