President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) is preparing to lobby the Senate to approve a constitutional amendment ending the 6x1 work schedule [1].
This move represents a significant shift in Brazil's labor laws. By reducing the standard workweek, the administration aims to improve labor conditions for millions of workers across the country [1, 3].
To coordinate the proposal, the president met with seven ministers on Thursday, May 9, 2024 [2]. This meeting was designed to define the final delivery of the project and ensure the administration's priorities were aligned before moving to the legislative phase [2].
Following the ministerial discussions, Lula met with central union leaders on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 [3]. These discussions focused on the specific requirements for ending the 6x1 schedule, a system where employees work six days and have one day off, and replacing it with a more flexible structure [3].
The central goal of the constitutional amendment is to reduce the weekly work limit to 40 hours [1]. The Planalto Palace has designated this amendment as a priority, signaling that the executive branch will take an active role in securing the necessary votes in Brasília [1, 3].
Lula intends to personally intervene with senators to ensure the measure passes [1]. The president is focusing his efforts on the Senate and the Planalto Palace to navigate the political complexities of labor reform [2, 3].
“President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) is preparing to lobby the Senate to approve a constitutional amendment ending the 6x1 work schedule.”
The push to eliminate the 6x1 schedule is a core ideological objective for the PT administration, aiming to shift Brazil toward a more European-style labor model. Success depends on Lula's ability to maintain a coalition in the Senate, as constitutional amendments require high thresholds of support and often face strong opposition from business sectors concerned about increased operational costs.
