Brazil Senate advances controversial 7‑day work‑hour amendment

Senators led by Rogério Marinho (PL‑RN) presented constitutional amendment PEC 12/2026, nicknamed “PEC 7×0” or “PEC of slavery”. The draft, signed by 41 senators including pre‑presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro, would eliminate the weekly rest day, introduce hourly pay and slash severance benefits such as vacation pay, the 13th‑salary bonus and FGTS, and allow employment contracts to be negotiated directly between employer and worker without collective agreements.

The amendment was referred to the Senate Committee on Constitution and Justice, where it awaits a rapporteur. Labor unions and the public have strongly opposed the proposal; a Senate‑run poll recorded roughly 98,800 votes against the measure versus about 5,890 in favour. Critics say the bill would roll back decades of CLT‑based protections, weaken collective bargaining and increase precariousness for workers, especially after the lower house approved ending the 6×1 work schedule.