Brazil's Boulos pushes to end 6‑day work scale despite congressional criticism

Guilherme Boulos, the secretary‑general of the Brazilian presidency, led negotiations to replace the 6‑day "6×1" work schedule with a 5‑day "5×2" model. He urged an immediate implementation, challenging the longer transition timeline favored by members of the Centrão bloc and the Chamber of Deputies. Boulos’ stance sparked friction with Hugo Motta, president of the Chamber, who publicly rebuked the minister’s approach and warned that the reduction could be phased over up to 14 months.

The final agreement sets the new schedule to take effect 60 days after the constitutional amendment is enacted, with an initial two‑hour weekly reduction followed by additional cuts of two hours in 2026 and 2027. The change is expected to affect Brazilian workers’ routines and marks a notable political clash between the executive branch and congressional leaders.