Brazil Promulgates Constitutional End to 6x1 Work Schedule

Overview

• Congress formally promulgated the amendment that ends the 6x1 pattern and establishes a 5x2 model with two paid rest days per week under the Constitution.
• The text mandates a phased cut from 44 weekly hours to 42 hours after 60 days and to 40 hours after 12 months while preserving nominal salaries.
• Senator Eduardo Braga is preparing a parallel PEC to carve out or adjust rules for workers with differentiated or continuous rotations such as offshore crews, aviation staff and long-haul truckers.
• The Ministry of Labor is drafting a regulatory decree and a bill and will consult President Lula to define transition mechanics, sector exceptions and how collective agreements will reallocate rest days.
• Employers and unions say the change will improve worker rest and health but raise hourly labor costs and force operational shifts that could drive more staffing changes, overtime risks, contractual adjustments and investment in automation.