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Brazil implements Constitutional Amendment 141 to end 6x1 work schedule
Brazil has promulgated Constitutional Amendment 141/2026, which mandates the end of the 6x1 work schedule, providing employees with two paid weekly rest days. The amendment establishes a progressive reduction of the maximum weekly work hours: the limit will drop to 42 hours starting December 16, 2026, and will further decrease to 40 hours in December 2027. These changes must be implemented without reducing employee salaries.
The transition has raised significant concerns among business sectors, particularly retail, services, and tourism. The National Confederation of Trade in Goods, Services and Tourism (CNC) estimated that complying with the new ceiling could cause an immediate 21% increase in payroll costs for the retail sector. In São Paulo, Sindilojas-SP estimates that 52,000 new employees will be needed to compensate for the reduced individual workloads.
To manage the transition, the Ministry of Labor is expected to issue a decree to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva containing a list of sector exceptions. Potential exceptions under consideration include the retail and aviation sectors to ensure service continuity during peak periods like the end-of-year holidays. Labor unions, including the CUT, have released dossiers to guide collective bargaining and ensure that the reduction in hours does not lead to increased work intensity or salary cuts.
Entities
Brazil · Confederação Nacional do Comércio de Bens, Serviços e Turismo · Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva · Ministry of Labor and Employment · National Confederation of Trade in Goods, Services and Tourism · National Congress of Brazil · SISQUAL WFM Brasil · Sindilojas-SP
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 9 SOURCES] The new work rules must be implemented without reducing employee salaries. www.cnpl.org.br · valor.globo.com · portaldaautopeca.com.br · diariodonoroeste.com.br · contracs.org.br · +4 more
- [● 11 SOURCES] Constitutional Amendment 141/2026 ends the 6x1 work schedule in Brazil. valor.globo.com · conjur.com.br · contracs.org.br · gazeta24h.com · portaldaautopeca.com.br · +6 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Employees with higher education diplomas and high salaries are excluded from certain work duration and control rules. www.cnpl.org.br
- [● 2 SOURCES] Sindilojas-SP estimates 52,000 new employees will be needed in the city of São Paulo alone. portaldaautopeca.com.br · fenacon.org.br
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The CNC estimated an immediate 21% increase in payroll costs for the retail sector to comply with the new ceiling. valor.globo.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Ministry of Labor is expected to send a decree to the President with a list of sector exceptions. hora1rondonia.com.br · www.cnnbrasil.com.br
- [● 7 SOURCES] The maximum weekly work hours will reduce to 40 hours in December 2027. valor.globo.com · portaldaautopeca.com.br · conjur.com.br · contracs.org.br · diariodonoroeste.com.br · +2 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] The maximum weekly work hours will reduce to 42 hours starting December 16, 2026. valor.globo.com · portaldaautopeca.com.br · diariodonoroeste.com.br · conjur.com.br · contracs.org.br · +4 more