Congress Promulgates Constitutional Amendment Ending Brazil’s 6x1 Work Schedule

Overview

• The Congress promulgated the PEC on Friday, Oct. 16, in a public ceremony attended by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the leaders of both houses.
• The amendment guarantees two paid days of weekly rest, forbids salary cuts, and phases the constitutional weekly limit from 44 to 42 hours 60 days after publication and to 40 hours 12 months later.
• The text exempts public servants and employees earning at least 2.5 times the INSS ceiling from the new duration rules unless a collective agreement applies, and it allows collective bargaining to set transition arrangements and compensatory regimes.
• Lawmakers approved the measure overwhelmingly in the Senate by reportedly 75–1 in each round; Flávio Bolsonaro voted remotely in favor after months of public criticism, while both campaigns used the development in their late-election messaging.
• Industry and municipal groups have warned of multi‑billion‑real impacts on GDP and local budgets, with estimates showing higher payroll costs and potential new hires or contract renewals for cities, making implementation and collective bargaining key to how costs and jobs will be managed.