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Brazil Ends 6-Day Workweek With Senate Approval of 40-Hour Limit
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News18•16-10-2026, 13:14
Brazil Ends 6-Day Workweek With Senate Approval of 40-Hour Limit
- •Brazil's Senate approved a constitutional amendment to reduce the standard working week from 44 to 40 hours without any pay cut.
- •The reform transitions the country away from the traditional 6-by-1 schedule and will be phased in over a period of 14 months.
- •Several other nations globally, including Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Belgium, Iceland, and Lithuania, are also testing or implementing shorter working hours.
- •The global shift aims to enhance employee work-life balance and family time while maintaining productivity and salary levels.
Key Questions Answered
Brazil's Senate approved a constitutional amendment reducing the standard workweek from 44 hours to 40 hours while ending the six-day schedule, with no reduction in pay.
The reform is expected to be phased in gradually over a period of 14 months.
Chile has implemented the 40-Hour Law with a phased reduction reaching 42 hours by April 2026 and 40 hours by 2028. Colombia introduced a 42-hour limit in July 2026, and Mexico is gradually moving to a 40-hour workweek by 2030.
