President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said the Chamber of Deputies' approval of a proposal ending the 6x1 work schedule is a historic achievement.
The measure represents a significant shift in Brazilian labor law by reducing the standard work week without cutting worker wages. This change aims to improve quality of life for millions of employees currently working six days for every one day of rest.
Speaking in the Chamber of Deputies in Brasília on Wednesday night, May 27, 2026, the president said the move was a "civilizational conquest" [1]. The proposal, known as a PEC, seeks to reduce the maximum weekly workday from 44 to 40 hours [2].
Lula thanked Speaker Hugo Motta for the progress and said the legislation would have a social impact. "The approval of the PEC that ends the 6x1 scale is a historical and civilizational conquest," Lula said [3].
Despite the victory in the lower house, the legislation must still pass through the Senate. Lula said his administration will work to ensure the text is approved in the Senate Federal [4].
However, the path forward remains uncertain. While the president has pledged government support, reports indicate that the procedural route in the Senate is currently undefined. Tensions also exist between President Lula and Senator Davi Alcolumbre, which may complicate the final passage of the bill [5].
If approved by the Senate, the new limit of 40 hours per week [2] would legally mandate a shorter work week across the country, fundamentally altering the operational structure of the Brazilian service, and retail sectors.
“"É uma conquista civilizatória."”
The transition from a 44-hour to a 40-hour work week signals a move toward European-style labor standards in Brazil. While the Chamber's approval is a political victory for Lula, the potential friction with Senate leadership suggests that the final implementation may require significant political concessions or amendments to the original text.
