Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva led a large rally on Paulista Avenue in Sao Paulo on Sunday, calling for more days off for workers ahead of the presidential runoff.
Lula, of the Workers’ Party, is seeking a fourth term. He faces Flavio Bolsonaro, the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who won the first round on 4 October. Polls show Bolsonaro is favoured to win the runoff on 25 October.
Bolsonaro has proposed a plan to cut public spending. Lula is making better working conditions a main theme of his campaign.
“Mr. Bolsonaro has to say whether he is in favour of workers resting more or continuing to work longer hours,” Lula told reporters.
The Senate is due to vote on Wednesday, 14 October, on legislation approved by the lower house in May. It would raise weekly paid days off from one to two and cut the maximum working week from 44 to 40 hours.
