Overview
- After agreements with outsourcing firms, cleaning, kitchen and gardening workers at the Palácio do Planalto will now work on a 5x2 schedule with Saturdays and Sundays off.
- The federal government publicized the shift with an official video showing employees praising the change, including the message that Saturday is now a day for rest and family.
- President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has framed ending the 6x1 rotation without pay cuts as a 2026 priority, saying the economy is ready for shorter hours.
- In the Senate, PEC 148/2025 passed the Constitution and Justice Committee on Dec. 10 proposing a reduction of the maximum workweek from 44 to 40 hours, while separate reporting cites another Senate text aiming for 36 hours and up to five working days.
- The Labor Minister, Luiz Marinho, said an immediate cut to 40 hours is feasible with a gradual path to 36, emphasizing the need for labor‑employer agreement as the Chamber’s parallel proposal remains stalled.