The Brazilian Senate approved a constitutional amendment to cut the maximum weekly working hours from 44 to 40 without a pay cut, a move championed by Lula to regain momentum against Flavio Bolsonaro ahead of the runoff.

The reform is expected to benefit more than 30 million workers, including 16 million who currently work six days a week in retail, dining, and hospitality.

Support for the measure has spilled into the streets, with pro-Lula demonstrations in major cities signaling broad backing for labor-flexibility messaging during the campaign.

Business and industry groups criticized the measure, arguing it could raise costs, reduce employment, and hurt competitiveness; CNC and CNI outlined potential negative impacts.

A study by the Institute for Applied Economic Research (Ipea) suggests the change would raise operating costs by less than 1 percent in major job-generating sectors and could yield productivity gains and a larger labor pool.

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The change is expected to primarily affect low-paid sectors such as retail, restaurants, and hotels.

Freelancers and workers in the shadow economy are exempt from the new rules, as they are not covered by the standard labor framework.

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Experts and workers highlight health and social-life benefits, while acknowledging concerns about unemployment; polls show broad public support, including among Bolsonaro voters.

Individual testimonies, such as Marilane Oliveira Teixeira and Lilian Cristo dos Santos, emphasize potential health and social-life benefits but also note worries about unemployment and the impact on women's unpaid domestic labor.

Officials say changes could be implemented over 14 months, with debates over gradual rollout and electoral timing considerations.