Senate Approves PEC to End 6x1 Work Scale, Cutting Weekly Hours to 40

The Federal Senate approved on Wednesday (14) the Proposed Constitutional Amendment (PEC) 221/2019, which ends the 6x1 work scale—six consecutive workdays followed by a single rest day. The proposal reduces the maximum weekly work limit from 44 to 40 hours, guarantees two paid days off, and prohibits salary cuts.

In Paraná, the measure would directly benefit 2.52 million workers across commerce, services, industry, and logistics. According to the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MTE), over 1 million people in the state currently work under the 6x1 regime, representing 35.82% of the workforce.

“One day to solve a thousand things and we get lost. Even more when you are a mother. It is heavy!”

Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL) reversed his position on Tuesday (13), now defending flexible hours and individual negotiation between employers and employees. The amendment is backed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT).

Labor judge and Unicamp researcher Carlos Eduardo Oliveira Dias noted the 6x1 regime has existed since a 1949 law establishing weekly paid rest. He argued the current debate aims to reverse rights losses accelerated after the 2016 impeachment of former President Dilma Rousseff.

Workers like Adrielle Barbosa de Aquino, a 27-year-old waitress and mother of two in Rio de Janeiro, celebrated the approval. She said a single Sunday off forces her to miss work for medical appointments, resulting in pay deductions. A February Nexus poll showed 73% of Brazilians support ending the 6x1 scale.