Brazil Starts National Push to End 6x1 Workweek

Overview

• The government launched a countrywide campaign to replace the six-days-on, one-day-off pattern and sent Congress a bill that cuts the weekly limit to 40 hours, guarantees two consecutive paid rest days, and forbids salary cuts.
• Business associations and economists dispute the promised gains, citing estimates that labor costs could rise by up to 12.7% in commerce, 17.57% in broader scenarios, and about 13% for very small industrial firms.
• Opposition lawmakers want the text to focus on jornada, or hours worked, which would open room to negotiate within-day hours and adopt a transition that reduces one hour per year starting in 2027 to reach 40 hours by 2030.
• Private employers have started to adapt, with supermarket chain Pague Menos piloting a 5x2 schedule in Campinas that keeps 44 hours by lengthening daily shifts to help attract staff and improve quality of life.
• Workers and unions pressing for more rest cite fatigue and health strain under 6x1, while the government points to polls showing broad backing, including 71% public support reported by Datafolha and strong approval among small-business owners in SEBRAE surveys.