Brazil’s Senate to vote on end of 6x1 shift pattern
The first vote on a constitutional amendment shortening the working week is on Wednesday’s agenda.
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Brazil’s Senate will vote on Wednesday in the first round on a proposal to abolish the 6x1 work schedule. The constitutional amendment would shorten the working week from 44 to 40 hours, without a reduction in pay.
The proposal is known as PEC 221/2019. The president of the Senate, Davi Alcolumbre, put the first vote on the agenda for 14 October after senators had debated the text for several days. At the time of publication, no result was yet available.
The arrangement targeted by the proposal requires employees to work six days and then have one day off. The proposed constitutional amendment provides for two rest days per week and a transition to a 40-hour working week. According to the text, pay may not be reduced.
The measure was approved by Brazil’s Lower House in May and by the Senate’s constitutional committee in September. The text must then be considered and voted on twice more by the full Senate. A constitutional amendment requires 49 votes in an 81-seat Senate.
The vote is therefore primarily a first major test for a reform that has prompted political debate for months. Approval today would not mean that the new working hours take effect immediately. The Senate can still amend the text, and both chambers must ultimately approve the same text.
Supporters, including the government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, link the reform to more rest, better health and more time with the family. They argue that productivity does not depend solely on the number of hours worked and that employees need more free time. The issue is popular among workers and trade unions.
Opponents warn that costs for employers could rise if companies have to maintain the same opening hours and output with fewer working hours. Critics say sectors such as retail, hospitality and logistics in particular may need additional staff or higher wages. The precise effects will depend on the transition rules and any exemptions.
The vote takes place shortly before the second round of Brazil’s presidential election on 25 October. Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, a prominent opposition figure, said on Tuesday that he supported the proposal. Reuters reported that this represented a change from his earlier position. On Wednesday, it was still unclear whether that support would be sufficient for approval.
For Dutch readers, the development is particularly relevant as an example of a major labour-market reform in an important emerging economy. The outcome could also affect Brazilian employers, consumer prices and sectors heavily dependent on shift work, but those effects cannot yet be determined.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The Senate has scheduled a first vote on PEC 221/2019 for 14 October.
- The text lowers the intended working week from 44 to 40 hours and, according to the text, maintains pay.
- The constitutional amendment must still go through several rounds of voting.
- The result of the first vote was not yet known at the time of publication.
Left
Arguments A shorter working week and two days off are needed to give employees better health, more family time and greater bargaining power. Higher costs for employers can be absorbed through productivity gains and a gradual introduction.
Values Workers’ rights, equality and protection from exhaustion.
Consequences Employees could benefit, but small businesses could come under temporary pressure if transitional measures are absent.
Centre
Arguments The reform deserves support if it is introduced in stages and takes account of opening hours, productivity and staff availability in each sector. A broad parliamentary majority matters more than a quick victory.
Values Feasibility, consultation and predictable legislation.
Consequences A transition model could limit the shock, but would make the reform slower and potentially less uniform.
Right
Arguments The government should not force employers to organise the same output with fewer working hours. Higher labour costs could lead to price rises, fewer jobs or more automation, particularly in labour-intensive sectors.
Values Economic freedom, competitiveness and corporate responsibility.
Consequences Failure to implement the reform would preserve current working hours, but in this view would prevent a sudden rise in costs.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
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The procedural status of the constitutional amendment and the scheduled vote have been confirmed by official Brazilian sources. The text distinguishes between established content and still-uncertain economic effects.
- confirmed Brazil’s Senate will vote on PEC 221/2019 in the first round on 14 October. — The president of the Senate put this vote on the agenda. source
- confirmed The proposal reduces the working week from 44 to 40 hours without a reduction in pay. — Described by Agência Brasil and Senado Notícias. source
- confirmed The proposal provides for two rest days per week. — Mentioned in Agência Brasil’s description of the PEC. source
- confirmed Approval of a constitutional amendment requires 49 senators. — Senado Notícias refers to the two-thirds majority of 49 votes in both rounds of voting. source
- confirmed Flávio Bolsonaro has supported the proposal since 13 October. — Reported by Reuters. source
Editor's note
The agenda, content and procedure have been confirmed by Brazil’s Senate and Agência Brasil. The result of the first vote was not yet known at the time of publication; possible economic effects have been described as uncertain.Sources
- Fim da escala 6x1: Davi marca votação em 1º turno para quarta — Senado Notícias
- CCJ do Senado aprova PEC que acaba com jornada 6x1 — Agência Brasil
- Brazil's Flavio Bolsonaro reverses course, backs end to six-day workweek — Reuters via MarketScreener
More on this in Dutch media
- NU.nl — „brazilië senaat”
- De Telegraaf — „brazilië senaat”
- AD — „brazilië senaat”