Brazil Senate moves forward on retirement and work‑hour reforms

The Brazilian Senate is considering two separate constitutional amendment proposals that could reshape labor conditions. One amendment would grant full‑pension and parity rights to health and disease‑control agents, lowering the retirement age to a minimum of 57 for women and 60 for men after a transition period, with an estimated fiscal impact of 99 billion reais. Another amendment seeks to end the 6‑day work‑plus‑1‑day‑off (“6×1”) schedule, replacing it with a 40‑hour week and a 5‑day‑on‑2‑day‑off model, a bill already approved by the Chamber of Deputies and slated for debate in a themed Senate session on 1 July.

Both measures are part of broader efforts by the Lula administration and labor groups to improve workers’ rights and quality of life, though they face differing levels of political support within the upper house.