A special committee in the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies approved a proposed amendment to end the 6x1 work schedule on May 5, 2026 [4].
The decision marks a shift in labor protections in Brazil, aiming to improve worker well-being by limiting the number of consecutive days employees must work before a day of rest.
The committee passed the measure with a vote of 34 in favor and four against [1]. Under the approved proposal, the standard weekly workload will be reduced from 44 to 40 hours [2]. This reduction in hours is designed to occur without any corresponding reduction in worker salaries [2].
To allow businesses to adjust to the new requirements, the proposal establishes a transition period of approximately 14 months [3]. This window is intended to mitigate sudden operational shocks for employers while phasing in the new labor standards.
While the special committee has reached a decision, the legislative process continues. Some reports indicate that a full plenary vote on the amendment is expected to take place in June 2026 [5].
The move to eliminate the 6x1 scale, where employees work six days and rest one, is part of a broader effort to align Brazil's labor laws with modern worker protection standards. The proposal seeks to ensure that the reduction in hours does not negatively impact the take-home pay of the workforce [2].
“The committee passed the measure with a vote of 34 in favor and four against.”
The approval by the special committee is a critical procedural step, but not the final law. By reducing the work week to 40 hours without cutting pay, Brazil is testing a labor model that prioritizes worker health and recovery. The 14-month transition period suggests a legislative attempt to balance social protections with the economic viability of service-sector businesses that rely heavily on the 6x1 rotation.
