Brazil's Chamber of Deputies postponed until Monday (25th) the presentation of a report on a Constitutional Amendment that would reduce the working week from 44 to 40 hours, following disagreements between government and lawmakers over the transition period. Rapporteur Leo Prates (Republicans-BA) had promised to deliver the opinion this Wednesday (20th), but a Tuesday night meeting between Chamber President Hugo Motta (Republicans-PB) and Ministers Luiz Marinho (Labor) and José Guimarães (Institutional Relations) reached no agreement. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"A divulgação do parecer sobre a PEC (Proposta de Emenda à Constituição) 6x1, prevista para esta quarta-feira (20), foi adiada para segunda (25) por divergências entre o governo Lula (PT), o presidente da Câmara dos Deputados, Hugo Motta (Republicanos-PB), e o relator do projeto, o deputado Leo Prates (Republicanos-BA), em torno de alguns pontos do texto, como o período de transição."
The Lula government advocates immediate implementation or a transition of up to three years, while centrist deputies want at least four years for adaptation. The PEC — resulting from the merger of proposals by Reginaldo Lopes (PT-MG) from 2019 and Erika Hilton (Psol-SP) from 2025 — will establish two weekly rest days, one preferably on Sundays, effectively prohibiting the 6x1 schedule. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"A PEC reduzirá a jornada de trabalho de 44 horas semanais para 40 horas, mas o governo defende a diminuição imediata ou uma transição mais rápida, enquanto os deputados do centrão querem um período de transição mais longo, de pelo menos quatro anos."
"As Propostas de Emenda à Constituição (PECs 221/2019 e 08/2025), que tratam da redução da jornada de trabalho, estão em análise em uma Comissão Especial da Câmara dos Deputados e receberam apenas duas emendas. As matérias foram apresentadas pelos deputados Reginaldo Lopes (PT-MG), em 2019, e Erika Hilton (Psol-SP), em 2025."
The proposal already faces organized resistance: 174 deputies signed an amendment by deputy Tião Medeiros (PP-PR) to postpone any change until 2036, including two lawmakers from Amazonas. The agribusiness sector calculates that ending the 6x1 schedule will increase rural labor costs by 22%, according to a study by the Parliamentary Front for Agriculture cited by deputy Rodrigo da Zaeli (PL-MT). ✓
Press quotes (2)
"Dois deputados federais do Amazonas, Alberto Neto (PL-AM) e Fausto Júnior (União Brasil-AM), assinaram a emenda que propõe adiar para 2036 o fim da escala de trabalho 6x1 — modelo em que o trabalhador atua por seis dias consecutivos e folga apenas um. A proposta foi apresentada pelo deputado Tião Medeiros (PP-PR) e já reúne o apoio de 174 parlamentares."
"ele citou um estudo da Frente Parlamentar de Agropecuária, segundo o qual a mudança vai impactar em 22% o custo da mão-de-obra na produção do campo."
Motta maintains the goal of voting on the PEC in plenary still in May, needing 308 votes in two rounds for approval. The Chamber President confirmed there is still no sealed agreement with the Senate for subsequent processing. A Nexus poll indicates 73% of Brazilians support ending the 6x1 schedule without salary reduction. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"Motta também disse que mantém a previsão de votação da PEC no plenário na semana que vem, mas informou que não há um acordo já selado para a tramitação no Senado."
"Levantamento da Nexus apontou que 73% dos brasileiros são favoráveis ao fim da escala 6×1 sem corte no salário."
PEC will reduce working hours from 44h to 40h weekly with two rest days
Vote scheduled for May 2026 requires 308 votes in two rounds
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (2)
Flávio Bolsonaro proposed alternative with payment per hour worked
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What will be the definitive transition period agreed between government and Congress?
Why it's still unknown: Government wants up to 3 years, centrist bloc wants at least 4 years, no agreement reached after Tuesday meeting
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How will regulation of specific categories like healthcare and public security work?
Why it's still unknown: It is defined that it will be in subsequent law or collective conventions, but details have not been disclosed
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What will be the Senate's position on processing priority?
Why it's still unknown: Motta confirmed there is no pre-agreement with the Senate for processing
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What cost mitigation measures for companies will be included in the text?
Why it's still unknown: Prates indicated that ways to mitigate impact on company costs will still be debated throughout the week