Senate President Davi Alcolumbre (União-AP) is attempting to persuade Senator Rodrigo Pacheco (PSB-MG) to serve as the rapporteur for a constitutional amendment ending the 6x1 work schedule [1, 2].
This legislative move represents a significant shift in Brazilian labor rights by targeting the common practice of six working days followed by one day of rest. If passed, the measure would provide workers with two paid rest days per week and reduce the standard weekly workload from 44 to 40 hours [4, 5].
Alcolumbre hopes to secure Pacheco's agreement by next week [1]. This acceleration follows the Chamber of Deputies' approval of the proposal on May 27, 2026, where the measure passed with 461 votes in favor [3, 4].
The government has designated the reform as a political priority. The Senate is expected to hold a vote on the amendment before the October 2026 elections [1, 3].
Advocates for the change have described the current 6x1 system as outdated. One pharmacy clerk said to BBC Portuguese that the schedule is a form of "modern slavery" — or rather, "outdated" slavery [6].
Following the Chamber's vote, a BBC correspondent said the event was a "historic day for the Brazilian working class" [6]. The proposal now moves toward a final decision in the Casa Alta in Brasília [1, 2].
Political analysts said the amendment is likely to gain momentum starting next week, provided the rapporteur is appointed and the timeline for the October elections is maintained [3].
“The measure would provide workers with two paid rest days per week and reduce the standard weekly workload from 44 to 40 hours.”
The push to abolish the 6x1 schedule is a strategic labor reform aimed at improving worker quality of life and health. By reducing the workweek and increasing rest days, the government is addressing long-standing grievances of the working class. The timing of the vote, scheduled before the October 2026 elections, suggests that the measure is being used as a key political lever to secure labor support during a critical election cycle.
