Guilherme Boulos, the Minister of the General Secretariat of the Presidency, said the Brazilian government opposes any transition measures to end the 6x1 work schedule [1].
This position signals a push for rapid labor reform that would fundamentally change how millions of workers in Brazil are scheduled. By rejecting a gradual phase-in, the administration aims to implement a more immediate shift in labor standards to benefit the workforce.
Speaking in Brasília on Sept. 13, 2024 [1], Boulos said the government is against any transition period. He emphasized the need for a direct change to the current system, which requires employees to work six days for every one day of rest.
"We are against any transition measure," Boulos said [1]. He further clarified that there is no need for such a period, saying, "There has to be no transition" [2].
The minister is pushing for the proposal to be approved quickly to avoid delays associated with the legislative calendar. Specifically, Boulos said the government is working to get the proposal approved before the parliamentary recess in July 2024 [3].
The 6x1 scale is a long-standing point of contention in Brazilian labor discussions. The administration's insistence on an immediate end to the practice reflects a desire to avoid the dilution of the reform through prolonged temporary measures. Boulos said the goal is to ensure the change is finalized within the first half of the year [3].
This approach puts pressure on the Brazilian legislature to act swiftly. The administration believes that a transition period could potentially undermine the effectiveness of the reform, or delay the realization of worker benefits.
“"We are against any transition measure."”
The rejection of a transition period indicates the Brazilian government's intent to implement a 'shock' reform to the labor market rather than a gradual adjustment. If successful, this would force businesses to restructure their operational staffing models almost immediately, potentially increasing employment needs or requiring a rapid shift in automation to cover the lost labor hours of the 6x1 system.
