Brazilian lawmakers push constitutional amendments on youth criminal responsibility and workweek reduction

Deputy Coronel Assis (PL‑MT) defended a constitutional amendment that would lower the age of criminal responsibility to 16, accusing left‑wing parties of obstructing the measure and citing poll data showing roughly 90% public support. The proposal, originally drafted by former deputy Gonzaga Patriota, is slated for a vote in the Chamber’s Constitution and Justice Committee.

Meanwhile, members of the centrist bloc in the Chamber are trying to eliminate the 60‑day transition period in a separate constitutional amendment that would end the 6×1 work‑scale and gradually reduce the standard workweek from 44 to 40 hours. The bloc presented several amendments to modify the text, while the government backs the reform and opposition parties seek to delay its progress.