Lula champions shorter working week ahead of Brazil presidential run-off
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva defended reducing the working week to 40 hours without cutting salaries during a campaign rally in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, on Friday, ahead of the October 25 presidential run-off.
Thousands of supporters joined Lula as he marched through the city centre alongside Workers' Party leaders, including Mayor Margarida Salomão and senator-elect Marília Campos.
During the event, Lula celebrated a constitutional reform ending Brazil's six-day working week with one day off, known as the 6x1 system.
Under the reform, maximum weekly working hours will gradually fall to 42 in December 2026 and 40 in December 2027, without salary reductions.
Lula described the changes as a victory for workers, particularly women who balance paid employment with family responsibilities.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Hormuz disruption and Saudi pipeline shutdown put Middle East oil routes under pressure
Supporters welcomed the reform and expressed confidence in his re-election campaign. “I am very happy and I have faith that we are going to achieve this victory,” said supporter Ana Luiza Santana.
The president also urged older voters and those who abstained in the first round to participate in the October 25 vote. Lula warned against a return of Bolsonarismo, arguing that the election would determine the future of labour rights and social policies in Brazil.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
