The federal government has yielded to congressional pressure and begun negotiating a transition rule of up to three years to implement the end of the 6×1 work schedule, according to Planalto Palace sources. The proposal would reduce the workweek from 44 to 40 hours — effectively five work days and two rest days — with two fewer hours in the first year and one hour in the following two. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"O governo está convencido de que terá de negociar com o Congresso Nacional para conseguir aprovar a proposta de emenda à Constituição (PEC) que acaba com escala 6x1"
"o Executivo já discute uma regra de transição para reduzir a jornada atual de 44 horas semanais para 40 horas"
PEC 8/2025, authored by deputy Erika Hilton (Psol-SP), was originally scheduled for voting this Wednesday (20), but was postponed due to disagreements over the transition period. Deputy Leo Prates (Republicans-BA), the bill's rapporteur, is expected to present his report on Monday (25), after negotiations involving President Lula, Chamber President Hugo Motta, and the ministers of Labor, Finance, and Civil House. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"jornada de 44 horas semanais para 36 horas. Já a PEC 8/25, da deputada Erika Hilton (Psol-SP), propõe uma semana de quatro dias de trabalho"
"A apresentação do relatório foi adiada para a próxima semana"
The change would directly affect 14.8 million workers currently on 6×1 schedules, out of a universe of 50.2 million workers under labor law in Brazil, according to 2026 data from the Ministry of Labor and Employment. The commerce sector concentrates 51% of companies adopting this model, followed by bars and restaurants (16%) and administrative services (8%). ✓
Press quotes (2)
"Em um universo de 50,2 milhões de trabalhadores celetistas no Brasil, 37,2 milhões fazem jornada de 44 horas semanais, 26,3 milhões não recebem horas extras remuneradas, 14,8 milhões fazem escala 6x1"
"51% das empresas que utilizam a escala de seis dias de trabalho seguidos por um dia de descanso (6×1) são do setor do Comércio"
To avoid salary reduction, the proposal under negotiation provides that the hour cut from the workday would be paid, but without affecting labor benefits such as vacation, 13th salary, and FGTS. The rapporteur also advocates that workers earning above R$ 16,000 be excluded from the new limit, a proposal that lacks support from the Ministry of Labor. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"para evitar corte no salário, a hora cortada da jornada atual e não trabalhada seria paga, mas sem incidir nas demais verbas trabalhistas, como férias, 13º, FGTS"
"O relator defendeu nesta quarta-feira que trabalhadores que ganham acima de R$ 16 mil fiquem de fora do novo limite de jornada"
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (2)
Minister Guilherme Boulos is in Belo Horizonte promoting the agenda in a public hearing
Conflicting versions (1)
Work hour reduction proposed by original PEC
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What will be the exact timeline for the transition rule and how will the phased implementation occur?
Why it's still unknown: Sources indicate 'up to three years' but do not detail the specific schedule, which is still under negotiation
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What will be the final text of PEC 8/2025 after weekend negotiations?
Why it's still unknown: Deputy Leo Prates' report will only be presented on Monday (25), after ongoing negotiations
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What will happen to the 12×36 schedule used by healthcare professionals?
Why it's still unknown: Government advocates maintaining it for negotiation via collective agreements, but there is no final definition
Did not cover: Metropoles -
Will there be fiscal compensation for companies affected by the change?
Why it's still unknown: Finance Minister declared himself 'radically against', but business pressure continues