Brazil Senate to vote on ending 6x1 work week Wednesday

The Brazilian Senate is scheduled to vote Wednesday on a constitutional amendment ending the 6x1 work schedule, which requires six work days for one rest day. The proposal would reduce the maximum weekly hours from 44 to 40 without cutting pay and guarantee two weekly rest days. Approval requires 49 of 81 senators in each of two rounds; the government hopes to complete both rounds Wednesday via a special calendar request.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Sunday the coming week will "define our victory" in the October 25 runoff, linking the Senate vote to his campaign. He challenged his rival, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, to show whether his party supports two rest days for workers. Lula accused the opposition of pressing Senate President Davi Alcolumbre to delay the vote until after the election.

“This is not an ideological, partisan, government or opposition issue, it is a state issue with the horizon of improving people's lives.”

On Monday, Lula reiterated confidence the measure would pass, arguing the reduction especially helps women who juggle jobs and domestic duties. He claimed opposition lawmakers want to postpone the vote because they fear voting against it before the runoff. Flavio Bolsonaro announced Tuesday he would vote in favor, reversing months of criticism calling the proposal "hypocrisy" and "harmful to workers."

Senate leader Teresa Leitao secured signatures for the special calendar request to accelerate the process. Relator Omar Aziz rejected all 36 amendments, keeping the House-approved text intact. Senator Paulo Paim argued the change is a matter of state, not ideology, while Senator Weverton noted other countries have adopted similar schedules without economic collapse.

If approved in both rounds, the amendment still requires congressional promulgation and a 14-month transition period before taking effect. The vote occurs 11 days before the presidential runoff, making it a high-stakes legislative test for both campaigns.