Marcelo Bertoni said that ending the 6x1 work schedule in Brazil will generate inflation in food prices.
This warning highlights a growing tension between labor rights advocates seeking shorter work weeks and agricultural producers who fear rising operational costs. Because food is a primary necessity, any increase in production expenses typically transfers directly to the consumer, potentially destabilizing grocery costs across the country.
Bertoni, the vice president of the Confederação da Agricultura e Pecuária do Brasil (CNA), said during an interview on CNN Brasil’s CNN 360° program that the current 6x1 system—where employees work six days and have one day off [1]—is a pillar of current agricultural labor costs.
According to Bertoni, the proposed end of this schedule would raise agricultural production costs. He said these costs would be passed on to consumers, leading to higher food prices [1]. The CNA representative said that work conditions between employers and employees should be negotiated to find a sustainable balance.
The debate over the 6x1 schedule has gained traction among various industrial sectors. In a related discussion held on Monday, June 25, 2024, the president of the National Confederation of Industry (CNI) said that the first impact of ending the scale would be an increase in prices [2].
Agricultural producers argue that the rigidity of the 6x1 system is necessary for the continuous nature of food production. Bertoni said that a sudden shift in labor requirements without a negotiated transition could disrupt the supply chain and exacerbate inflation in a sector already sensitive to economic volatility [1].
“Ending the 6x1 work schedule will generate inflation in food prices.”
The conflict reflects a broader economic struggle in Brazil to modernize labor laws without triggering a cost-of-living crisis. If the 6x1 schedule is abolished, the agricultural sector may face a labor shortage or higher payroll expenses, which could lead to a permanent increase in the baseline price of staples, disproportionately affecting lower-income populations.
