Brazil Senate Deliberates Work‑Hour Reform to End 6‑Day Scale

A constitutional amendment (PEC 221/2019) that ends the 6 × 1 work schedule and reduces the weekly workweek from 44 to 40 hours, without cutting salaries, has been approved by the Chamber of Deputies and is now being debated in the Senate. Senate President Davi Alcolumbre has indicated that the proposal will move through the Constitution and Justice Committee before reaching the plenary, a process that could extend into July. Lawmakers such as Senators Teresa Leitão and Paulo Paim have publicly defended the measure, emphasizing its benefits for workers’ health, family life and productivity. The government and labor unions are pressing the Senate to expedite the vote ahead of the parliamentary recess, while opposition senators and some business groups argue for a more flexible labor model. A separate “flexible work” amendment (PEC 12/2026) has also been filed, proposing an optional regime that would allow workers to choose between the traditional CLT system and a flexible hours arrangement. The Senate is expected to decide on the timetable for these proposals within the next weeks, with the original 6 × 1 reform targeted for approval by mid‑July.