Senate President Davi Alcolumbre (União Brasil-AP) met with union leaders and government officials last month to discuss ending the 6x1 work schedule.

The proposal represents a significant shift in Brazilian labor law. By eliminating the six-days-on, one-day-off rotation, the government aims to align national labor standards with modern wellness goals and the administration's broader social agenda.

Alcolumbre said he held discussions with representatives of central unions and government senators on June 1, 2026 [1]. These talks focused on a proposed constitutional amendment, known as a PEC, which would formally abolish the 6x1 schedule and reduce the standard weekly work limit from 44 to 40 hours [2].

Further coordination continued throughout the month. Alcolumbre said he met with Minister José Guimarães on June 9, 2026, to refine the legislative path for the proposal [3]. The movement to shorten the workweek is a key priority for the Lula administration, which seeks to enhance the quality of life for the Brazilian workforce.

The legislative process in Brasília involves balancing the demands of labor unions with the economic concerns of the business sector. While the PEC focuses on a mandatory reduction in hours, other competing proposals in the Senate have suggested alternative models, such as specialized hourly contracting [4].

Alcolumbre said the progression of the amendment may depend on further high-level consultations. Specifically, the Senate president is expected to coordinate with President Lula to determine the final timing and strategy for advancing the measure through the legislative chamber [5].

“The proposal represents a significant shift in Brazilian labor law.”

The push to end the 6x1 schedule is more than a scheduling change; it is a structural attempt to redistribute labor and increase worker leisure time. If passed, the reduction to a 40-hour week would bring Brazil closer to the standards of several developed economies, though it may face stiff opposition from retail and service sectors that rely on the 6x1 model to maintain seven-day operations.