Brazil's Chamber delays 6x1 work schedule reform after urgency removed

The federal government announced the withdrawal of the constitutional urgency regime for the bill that would end the 6 × 1 work schedule and reduce the weekly workweek from 44 to 40 hours. The move was conveyed by Chamber of Deputies president Hugo Motta, who said the change would free the plenary to set a new timetable for the proposal.

Because the urgency was removed, the relator of the project, Deputy Leo Prates (Republicanos‑BA), is expected to leave the position, with possible successors such as Deputy Luiz Gastão (PSD‑CE) being discussed. The Chamber postponed the leaders’ meeting and any vote on the bill until after the parliamentary recess, delaying the legislation that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has promoted as part of his re‑election agenda.

In his report, Prates added provisions giving priority to workers who are mothers of children with disabilities for choosing rest days and a salary‑protection calculation. The reform remains stalled in the Senate under President Davi Alcolumbre, whose negotiations with President Lula have stalled, and the issue continues to be a point of tension between the executive and legislative branches.