Politics · Brazil · 11 hrs ago
Industry and commerce ask Brazil’s Supreme Court to delay workweek changes
Brazil’s industry and commerce groups have asked the Supreme Court to delay changes to the workweek approved by Congress in October.
The constitutional amendment ends the six-day-work, one-day-off schedule and gradually introduces a five-day-work, two-day-rest schedule.
From December 16, the weekly limit is set to fall from 44 hours to 42, with 40 hours taking effect in December 2027, without a pay cut.
The groups say they need more time to reorganize shifts, and the industry confederation says the changes could raise labor costs.
Justice Flávio Dino has scheduled a hearing on Tuesday with business, worker and congressional representatives to discuss how the amendment will be implemented.
Dino has not paused the timetable, which remains in force, and the government says it plans to publish guidance for adapting to the new rules.
Brazil’s National Confederation of Industry and National Confederation of Commerce have asked the Supreme Federal Court to delay or change the rollout of a new workweek.
The constitutional amendment ends the six-day-on, one-day-off schedule and reduces the maximum workweek from 44 hours to 40 without cutting pay.
The first step is scheduled for December 16, when the weekly limit falls to 42 hours and workers gain two paid rest days.
Justice Flávio Dino has scheduled a conciliation hearing for November 10 with representatives of employers, workers and Congress.
Dino has not suspended the implementation timetable, and the government has signalled it intends to keep the schedule approved by Congress.
- Who
- The National Confederation of Industry and the National Confederation of Commerce filed requests. Justice Flávio Dino is handling the cases.
- What
- The groups are asking Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court to delay or adjust the rollout of the end of the 6x1 work schedule.
- When
- The requests were filed in the week before November 7, 2026. The first changes are scheduled to begin on December 16.
- Where
- Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court.
- Why
- The groups say businesses need more time to reorganize shifts and staffing, and the industry group raises concerns about costs and sector-specific operations.
National Confederation of Industry and National Confederation of Commerce
Government and supporters of the amendment
Implementation timetable
National Confederation of Industry and National Confederation of Commerce
The business groups seek delays or changes to the rollout; the commerce group seeks a later start, while the industry group seeks a suspension of deadlines for at least a year.
Government and supporters of the amendment
The government has signalled it intends to maintain the timetable approved by Congress.
Effects on businesses
National Confederation of Industry and National Confederation of Commerce
The groups say the transition period is too short and cite staffing, shift organization and production costs.
Government and supporters of the amendment
The amendment reduces working hours without cutting pay and provides two paid rest days.
Congress approved the constitutional amendment ending the 6x1 schedule.
Dino issued a preliminary decision on the commerce group’s request and said the two-month transition period did not appear unfeasible.
Dino included the industry group in a conciliation hearing scheduled for November 10.
The labour minister said the government’s regulation on implementing the change would be published.
A conciliation hearing is scheduled with representatives of businesses, workers and Congress.
The weekly work-hour limit is scheduled to fall from 44 to 42, with two paid rest days.
- First reduction date
- December 16, 2026
- Initial weekly limit
- 42 hours, down from 44
- Final weekly limit
- 40 hours from December 2027
- Industry group’s cost estimate
- 11.1% higher formal labour costs, or R$88 billion
- Scheduled hearing
- November 10, 2026, at 2 p.m.
4 sources
Fim da escala 6x1 vira disputa no STF sob pressão do comércio e indústria
Varejistas pedem mais prazo para o 5x2 e flexibilização de nova jornada
CNI entra com nova ação contra fim da escalada 6x1 e Dino inclui entidade para falar no STF
Indústria entra com nova ação no STF contra fim da escala 6x1 e quer limitar Justiça do Trabalho
What people are saying
The two-month period does not appear, at first, to be unfeasible.
The reduction in working hours and the expansion of weekly rest are not under negotiation.