Brazil business groups urge Senate to pass flexible work‑hours amendment

Around 3,000 Brazilian business entities, including the Confederations of Commerce, Agriculture, Industry and Transport and the São Paulo Industries Federation (Fiesp), signed a manifesto on 9 May urging senators to approve Constitutional Amendment (PEC) 12/2026, known as the PEC do Trabalho Flexível. The proposal, authored by Senator Rogério Marinho (PL‑RN), would let workers choose between the traditional CLT regime and a flexible schedule based on actual hours worked, while preserving rights such as vacation, 13th‑month salary, FGTS and severance pay. It also seeks to replace the 6‑day‑plus‑1‑day work‑week model with a 5‑day‑plus‑2‑day schedule and reduce the weekly workload to 40 hours.

The signatories argue that a uniform schedule raises costs for sectors like commerce, services, bars and small businesses and limits their ability to adapt to demand, potentially hurting prices for consumers. They stress that the represented sectors account for over 40 million jobs and nearly 90 % of Brazil’s GDP. The amendment passed the Chamber of Deputies on 27 May and now awaits a decision from Senate President Davi Alcolumbre. Initial Senate backing includes support from 40 of the 81 senators.