Sao Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas said ending the 6x1 work schedule must consider the needs of employers to avoid harming the economy.
The governor's stance highlights the tension between labor rights movements seeking shorter work weeks and the business sector's concerns over operational costs. If implemented without balance, such changes could lead to increased prices or reduced employment opportunities in the service sector.
Speaking Monday, May 18, 2024, during the opening of the APAS Show in Sao Paulo, de Freitas addressed the largest supermarket sector fair in Brazil [1]. The governor focused on the potential risks of abruptly removing the 6x1 schedule, which requires employees to work six days with one day off [1].
De Freitas said maintaining the weekly work limit at 44 hours is necessary [1]. He said this limit is necessary to protect workers by ensuring that the businesses employing them remain viable.
"Não adianta cuidar do trabalhador sem cuidar do empregador," de Freitas said [1].
The governor said that imposing rigid changes to labor schedules could damage the very people they are intended to help by compromising the stability of the employers [1]. By advocating for the 44-hour limit, he aimed to balance worker protections with the economic realities of the supermarket and retail industries [1].
“"Não adianta cuidar do trabalhador sem cuidar do empregador"”
The debate over the 6x1 schedule reflects a broader global trend toward shorter work weeks, but the governor's position emphasizes a pro-business approach. By tying worker welfare to employer viability, the administration signals that any legislative shift in labor hours will likely face resistance unless it includes safeguards for operational costs.
