Rio de Janeiro labor protest rallies to force Senate to end 6×1 work schedule

On June 30, hundreds of demonstrators marched for about two hours and six kilometres through Rio de Janeiro, opening a National Day of Mobilisation against the 6×1 work scale. The rally, part of coordinated actions in 21 cities across 14 states and the Federal District, called for the Senate to advance Proposta de Emenda à Constituição (PEC) 221/2019, which would reduce the weekly work‑week from 44 to 40 hours and guarantee two paid rest days.

Organisers, including the Central Única dos Trabalhadores (CUT), the Vida Além do Trabalho (VAT) movement and popular fronts such as Povo Sem Medo and Brasil Popular, urged pressure on Senate President Davi Alcolumbre to unblock the bill, which passed the Chamber of Deputies on May 27 but remains stalled in the Senate. Activist Leonardo Guimarães said unions and social movements plan to meet Alcolumbre on July 1 to “destravar” the agenda.

Among the demonstrators was 22‑year‑old cashier Fátima Dantas de Souza Alves, who said the current schedule leaves her “exhausted” and denies quality time with her family and self‑care. She and other workers hope the amendment will bring “diverse reliefs” without reducing wages. Rio councilor Rick Azevedo (PSOL), a key figure in the VAT movement, called the half‑year mark a “crucial moment” for Brazilian workers and warned the movement will not back down.