Brazil's Lula administration stalls key labor reform on 6‑day work schedule

On 16 June, President Lula’s government withdrew the urgency of PL 1838/2026, a constitutional amendment that would end the 6×1 work schedule and reduce the weekly working hours. The move, negotiated with Chamber president Hugo Motta, was presented as a way to free the legislative agenda for other priorities such as updates to the micro‑entrepreneur ceiling, AI regulation and criminalisation of misogyny. Critics within the ruling party, including deputy Lindbergh Farias, called the decision a “big mistake” and warned it removes a key lever to pressure the Senate.

Labor Minister Luiz Marinho, a former union leader, reiterated that the end of the 6×1 schedule “will arrive” and urged the working class to mobilise on the streets to pressure Congress. He argued that reducing the workweek without cutting wages is a priority for President Lula and emphasized the need for popular pressure on senators to accelerate the legislative process.