Brazil: sixth national employee walk focused on working time cuts

The demonstration on Wednesday, November 11 was the biggest of the six now traditional Working Class Walks (“Marcha de la Clase Trabalhadora”) organized since 2004. This year, the annual demonstration of Brazilian unions focused on working time reduction and wage increases. Between 40,000 and 50,000 workers gathered in the capital city, Brasilia, under the leadership of the Unique Workers’ Center (Central Unica dos Trabalhadores, CUT) and five other key unions in Brazil. As in 2008, their main claim was bringing the work week from 44 down to 40 hours with no wage cut. Unions are hoping that their unfailing unity in this area will allow pressuring lawmakers into approving the constitutional draft amendment (PEC 231/95) which implements the 40-hour week and which is currently stuck at the Chamber of Deputies. Parliament representatives invited at the demonstration, including the President of the Senate, promised to facilitate the vote of this initiative.
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

44 down to 40 hours with no wage cut. Unions are hoping that their unfailing unity in this area will allow pressuring lawmakers into approving the constitutional draft amendment (PEC 231/95) which implements the 40-hour week and which is currently stuck at the Chamber of Deputies. Parliament representatives invited at the demonstration, including the President of the Senate, promised to facilitate the vote of this initiative.

Debate over the 40-hour week. Unions defend the theory that the measu

…
Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
France: National Assembly votes for mandatory bargaining on sexual and gender-based violence
The news. On 8 October, French MPs voted to extend the scope of mandatory annual negotiations to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). In practice, in addition to pay, working hours and...
Living wage still struggles to align with social dialogue (study)
As part of its summer school on social dialogue, the ILO commissioned a study on the living wage. This concept, which takes workers' needs into account when determining wage levels and which major...
9 October 2026
Belgium: fourth wave of reforms to encourage the return to work of employees on long-term sick leave
The news. On 2 October, the Belgian Federal Council of Ministers approved on third reading a draft bill implementing the fourth wave of reforms under its “strengthened” policy on...
Germany: Employers’ representatives seek to limit the rights of works councils
The Employers' Federation of German Employers' Associations (Bundesvereinigung der Deutschen Arbeitgeberverbände - BDA) published a report at the end of September in which it proposes a...
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
AI: uneven integration but a global challenge for the world of work
The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in business is profoundly transforming the world of work, and some occupations are now under threat. However, the full extent of its effects remains...
2
France: Ministry of Labour unveils plan to accelerate the rollout of AI
On 22 September, the French Ministry of Labour presented a plan named Impulsion IA 2027 aimed at accelerating the adoption of AI by companies and employees. It contains 12 measures applicable from...
3
Netherlands: towards a ban on housing cost deductions from migrant workers’ wages
The news. On September 10, Dutch Minister of Social Affairs and Employment Hans Vijlbrief (centre-left) sent a letter to the House of Representatives, stating that he intends to prohibit employers...
4
Germany: AfD victory in Saxony-Anhalt raises concerns over labour supply and workplace cohesion
The rise of Germany’s far-right AfD, which could soon gain influence over migration policy in Saxony-Anhalt and, following elections on September 20, in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania as well, is...
5
Denmark: introduction of a professional ID card for construction site workers
The news. On 3 September, the Danish Parliament adopted a bill introducing a mandatory professional ID card for people working on large construction sites. The card will include, among other...
6
UE: Commission proposes measures to facilitate “fair” worker mobility across the Union
The info. On 15 September, the European Commission adopted a series of measures aimed at encouraging “fair” worker mobility within the EU. It wants to remove the administrative...