The Brazilian House of Deputies postponed the release of a report on the PEC 6x1 proposal until Monday, April 25, 2026 [1].
This delay represents a significant hurdle for labor reform in Brazil. The proposed constitutional amendment seeks to alter the working conditions for millions of employees by banning the 6x1 shift, a system where workers labor for six days and have one day off [1].
The proposal includes a reduction of the standard weekly workload from 44 to 40 hours [1]. The report is overseen by rapporteur Leo Prates under the presidency of Hugo Motta [1].
The postponement stems from a clash between the administration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and members of the Centrão, a powerful bloc of centrist lawmakers. The Lula government advocates for the immediate implementation of these changes [1]. Conversely, Centrão lawmakers are pushing for a longer transition period to allow businesses to adapt to the new requirements [1].
While the House has delayed the report, conflicting reports exist regarding the current status of the legislation. Some sources indicate the report was postponed to April 25 [1], while other reports suggest the Constitution and Justice Committee already approved a favorable report for the PEC's progression on Wednesday, April 22 [2].
The dispute centers on the economic impact of the transition. Lawmakers from the Centrão said a sudden shift in the labor model could disrupt business operations, particularly in the service and retail sectors, while the government said the reduction in hours is a necessary step for worker well-being [1].
“The proposed constitutional amendment seeks to fundamentally alter the working conditions for millions of employees.”
The tension between the Lula administration and the Centrão highlights the precarious balance of power in the Brazilian legislature. Because the government relies on this centrist bloc to pass major reforms, the demand for a longer transition period suggests that any final version of the PEC 6x1 will likely be a compromise, potentially diluting the speed of the labor shift to appease business interests.
