President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva challenged Congress to take a position on working hours reduction, declaring "let's see who is who in this country" in an interview with TV Brasil on Friday (22). PEC 8/2025, authored by Deputy Erika Hilton (PSOL-SP), proposes reducing the weekly workload from 44 to 40 hours and ending the 6x1 schedule, replacing it with 5x2 with two paid rest days. ≈
Press quotes (1)
"'Não dá para aceitar ficar quatro anos para fazer, meia hora por ano, uma hora por ano, aí é brincar de fazer redução. Está aí o projeto de lei, vota contra quem quiser, mas vamos mostrar para o povo quem é quem nesse país. O dado concreto é que será um benefício para a saúde, para a educação', destacou o presidente."
Lula will meet on Monday (25) with Chamber President Hugo Motta (Republicanos-PB) and Labor Minister Luiz Marinho to negotiate next steps. The PEC's rapporteur, Deputy Leo Prates (Republicanos-BA), will present his opinion also on Monday, with voting in the special committee scheduled for Wednesday (27) and floor analysis by the end of the week. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"O presidente Lula confirmou que se reunirá na próxima segunda-feira (25) com o presidente da Câmara dos Deputados, Hugo Motta (Republicanos-PB), e com o ministro do Trabalho e Emprego, Luiz Marinho, para tratar da proposta que prevê o fim da escala de trabalho 6x1 no Brasil."
"O relator da PEC, deputado Leo Prates (Republicanos-BA), deve apresentar seu parecer também na segunda-feira, após a reunião de Lula e Motta. A expectativa é de que o texto seja aprovado tanto na comissão quanto no Plenário durante a semana."
"We defend that the reduction be immediate, from 44 hours to 40 hours. End of discussion, without salary cuts," the president stated, criticizing attempts to create a transition period. He admitted, however, that "obviously we don't have the strength to approve everything we want, so we have to negotiate." ≈
Press quotes (1)
"'Nós defendemos que a redução seja de uma vez, de 44 horas para 40 horas. E fim de papo, sem reduzir salário. Obviamente que nós não temos força para aprovar tudo o que a gente quer, então temos que negociar', afirmou o presidente."
PEC 8/2025 proposes reducing working hours from 44 to 40 hours weekly and ending the 6x1 schedule
Leo Prates (Republicanos-BA) is the PEC's rapporteur with opinion scheduled for Monday (25)
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (2)
Government and Chamber were already negotiating behind-the-scenes agreement to accelerate analysis
Proposal gained strength after pressure from the Life Beyond Work Movement (VAT)
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What is the composition of the support and opposition coalition to the PEC in the Chamber?
Why it's still unknown: Sources do not detail the positioning of specific caucuses or parliamentary blocs beyond the negotiation between Lula and Hugo Motta
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What is the estimated fiscal impact of working hours reduction?
Why it's still unknown: No source presents budget cost numbers or fiscal calculation methodology for the proposal
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What are the specific positions of the business sector on the PEC?
Why it's still unknown: Sources mention 'business sector resistance' generically, but do not detail positions of specific entities or companies
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Are there constitutional precedents or technical opinions on legal risks of the PEC?
Why it's still unknown: No source mentions prior constitutional analysis or legislative consultancy opinions on legal viability