Brazilian Minister José Guimarães said the project to end the 6x1 work schedule should be voted on during this semester.
The proposal aims to fundamentally change the labor structure for millions of workers who currently work six days before receiving one day off. This shift represents a significant move by the government to modernize labor laws and improve worker quality of life.
Guimarães, who serves as the minister of the Secretariat of Institutional Relations (SRI), spoke during an interview with the CNN 360º program in Brasília. He said that the project is expected to reach the Chamber of Deputies by May 21, 2024 [1].
While the government is open to negotiating how the change is implemented, it remains firm on the financial aspects of the bill. Guimarães said that the administration is willing to discuss a transition period for the end of the six-day work scale, but it will not grant tax exemptions to employers [2, 3].
"It is possible to discuss a transition for the end of the 6x1 scale, but we reject the tax exemption," Guimarães said [2].
The government intends to maintain the core essence of the text presented by the Planalto. By rejecting the desoneração, or tax relief, for employers, the administration is signaling that the cost of the transition must be absorbed by the companies rather than the state [2, 3].
Guimarães reiterated that the timeline remains tight for the legislative body. He said the project must arrive at the Chamber by May 21, 2024, to ensure it is voted on before the semester concludes [1].
“"It is possible to discuss a transition for the end of the 6x1 scale, but we reject the tax exemption."”
The push to eliminate the 6x1 work schedule highlights a tension between labor rights and corporate costs in Brazil. By refusing tax exemptions for employers, the Lula administration is prioritizing worker wellbeing and fiscal responsibility over business incentives, which may lead to significant pushback from industry groups during the legislative process in the Chamber of Deputies.
