SÃO PAULO — Brazil's lower house approved a constitutional amendment establishing a 40-hour, five-day workweek, ending the current six-day schedule without reducing pay for at least 37 million workers. The amendment, sponsored by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, guarantees two consecutive 24-hour rest days each week, preferably on Saturdays and Sundays.

Under the current system, Brazilians work five eight-hour days and an additional four hours on a sixth day, totaling 44 hours per week. The approved measure gives businesses 14 months to adapt to the new standard, a timeline shorter than the 10-year phase-in period many business leaders and lawmakers had advocated.

Lawmaker Paulo Pimenta, Brazil’s government whip in the lower house, defended the amendment during the vote, saying: “People who have this workweek from Monday to Saturday are the ones that have to work the hardest and are paid the least. We need to be brave and do justice.” Leo Prates, the lower house lawmaker who drafted the amendment, added: “This was built with a lot of responsibility, thinking about workers and families in Brazil. We need to accomplish this for the Brazilian people.”

Lawmaker Kim Kataguiri said: “I don't care this is an election year. I think we need to be responsible. This will be a problem for many companies. We are doing this in a rush and workers should know they might end up worse than they are now if business leaders stop hiring.”

The lower house vote sent the amendment to the upper house for consideration. Brazil’s Senate has not yet set a date for its vote and could propose modifications before the measure reaches President Lula for final approval, which is required to amend the constitution.