End of the 6×1 work schedule advances in the Senate: what companies should begin assessing
In brief
The proposal to eliminate the 6×1 work schedule (six days of work followed by one day of rest) has gained new momentum in the Brazilian Congress. Proposed Constitutional Amendment No. 221/2019 has already been approved in two rounds of voting by the House of Representatives and has now been referred to the Senate’s Constitution, Justice and Citizenship Committee, with Senator Omar Aziz appointed as rapporteur. Following a meeting among the President of Brazil and the presidents of the House and Senate, it was announced that the rapporteur’s report is expected to be presented to the Committee on September 2, 2026, signaling that the proposal’s legislative review is moving forward.
In more detail
Under the version currently under consideration, the maximum weekly working time would be reduced from 44 to 40 hours, employees would be entitled to two paid rest days per week, and salary reductions would be prohibited. Implementation would be gradual: 60 days after the amendment’s potential enactment, the weekly limit would be reduced to 42 hours, followed by a further reduction to 40 hours after an additional 12 months. The proposal also allows specific working arrangements and activities to be addressed through legislation or collective bargaining.
No change has yet been made to the legislation currently in effect, and the proposal remains subject to review by the Senate Committee and approval in two rounds of voting by the full Senate. In light of these developments, however, potentially affected companies may wish to begin mapping their current working hours and schedules, estimating the potential impact on staffing levels, overtime, costs and third-party contracts, and reviewing applicable collective bargaining agreements. This preliminary assessment may facilitate operational adjustments should the amendment be approved, particularly in sectors with continuous operations or significant reliance on the 6×1 schedule.
