Otto Alencar, president of the Senate Constitution and Justice Commission, delayed the decision on a proposal to end the 6x1 work schedule [1].
The decision impacts millions of Brazilian workers currently operating under a system where they work six days for every one day of rest. A shift in this labor model would represent a significant change to the national employment landscape and worker wellness standards.
Alencar (PSD-BA) said the final determination regarding the processing of the Proposed Amendment to the Constitution, known as a PEC, will occur during the first half of July 2024 [1]. This delay allows the Senate to align its legislative approach with existing progress in other government bodies [2].
Alencar said the commission will prioritize the text of the PEC that has already been approved by the Chamber of Deputies [2]. By focusing on the version already vetted by the lower house, the Senate aims to streamline the legislative process and avoid contradictory versions of the labor reform [2].
Currently, the Senate is managing multiple proposals regarding the 6x1 scale [3]. The decision to prioritize the Chamber-approved text suggests a move toward a unified legislative path rather than drafting a separate Senate-led alternative [2].
The legislative process in Brasília remains the focal point for labor advocates seeking shorter work weeks. Alencar said the decision on how to proceed will be finalized in the first fortnight of July [1].
“The decision on the PEC will be made in the first half of July 2024.”
The decision to prioritize the Chamber of Deputies' text over separate Senate proposals suggests a strategy to accelerate the bill's passage by reducing legislative friction. By aligning the two houses, the Brazilian government may avoid a prolonged deadlock, though the delay until July keeps the labor market in a state of anticipation regarding potential shifts in mandatory working hours.
