On Wednesday, 75 senators carried the bill, with only former vice‑president Hamilton Mourão casting a single dissenting vote.
The bill traces back to a TikTok campaign called Life Beyond Work, launched by pharmacy assistant Thaisa Silva, who later won a seat in the Chamber and championed the proposal.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva celebrated the passage on X, emphasizing extra rest for families and a chance to watch children grow.
Far‑right senator Flavio Bolsonaro, who had warned of job losses, switched to support on Tuesday, citing broad public backing, though he advocated a pay‑by‑hours model.
Once the Senate president signs the amendment, a 60‑day transition will see the workweek shrink to 42 hours, with the final cut to 40 hours after 14 months.
The reform, backed by 70 % of voters in polls, could bolster Lula’s campaign ahead of the October 25 runoff, while business groups and some lawmakers warn it may strain small enterprises.
With the public and Senate now aligned, the next milestone is the Senate president’s formal approval, after which the amendment will commence its phased implementation.