Hugo Motta, president of the Chamber of Deputies (Republicanos-PB), said the proposal to end the 6x1 work schedule should be voted on this month [2].
The move signals a push to modernize Brazil's labor laws by reducing the number of working days per week for millions of employees. By framing the shift as a national priority rather than a political tool, Motta aims to secure broad support across the legislative spectrum.
Speaking on Sunday, May 17, Motta said that the Proposed Amendment to the Constitution (PEC) must be viewed as a national project [1]. He said the initiative should be distanced from specific parties or governments to avoid political polarization [1].
To facilitate the transition, Motta said the leadership will create a convergence text [2]. This approach is intended to harmonize different viewpoints on how the 6x1 shift, where employees work six days for one day off, should be phased out.
Legislators are working to ensure the transition does not destabilize the economy while improving worker quality of life. Motta said the goal is to present the reform as a matter of national interest rather than a partisan victory [1].
The Chamber of Deputies in Brasília is expected to finalize the text and hold the vote before the end of May 2026 [2].
“Projeto deve ser distanciado de partidos ou governos e visto como um projeto nacional.”
The attempt to frame the 6x1 labor reform as a 'national project' is a strategic move to insulate the legislation from the intense partisan volatility of the Brazilian Congress. If Motta successfully builds a convergence text, it could lead to a landmark shift in labor rights that transcends the current administration's agenda, potentially setting a precedent for how social reforms are negotiated in Brasília.
