Chile approves bill cutting work week to 40 hours from 45

Chile's Labor Minister Jeannette Jara celebrates next to others ministers and parliamentarians the approval of a bill reducing the number of weekly working hours from 45 to 40, in congress in Valparaiso, Chile, April 11, 2023. REUTERS/Rodrigo Garrido

SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Chile's Congress on Tuesday passed a hard-fought bill to gradually cut the work week to 40 hours from 45 hours, a legislative victory for President Gabriel Boric amid faltering popularity.

Boric, who took office last year pledging an ambitious agenda of social and economic reforms, has suffered several setbacks, including voters rejecting a progressive new constitution and legislative defeat for a key tax bill.