Politics · Brazil · 6 hrs ago
Brazil’s 6x1 work schedule ends, with changes beginning in December
Brazil’s Congress has approved an end to the six-days-on, one-day-off work schedule, known as 6x1.
The constitutional amendment takes effect on December 16 and introduces a five-day workweek with two paid days off each week.
Weekly working hours will first fall from 44 to 42, then to 40 after 12 months, with no reduction in pay.
The change is expected to benefit about 14.9 million workers across sectors including retail, services, industry and logistics.
Some jobs, such as offshore oil work and aviation, cannot easily fit a standard five-day schedule, so the government and Congress are discussing rules for special categories.
Unions and employers are expected to negotiate how schedules will work, and some shopping-centre restaurants in São Paulo are already testing 12-hours-on, 36-hours-off shifts.
The new schedule begins in December, while the detailed arrangements for some occupations remain to be worked out.
Brazil’s constitutional amendment ending the six-days-on, one-day-off work schedule is due to take effect on December 16.
Workers will move to two paid rest days each week, with no reduction in pay.
The weekly work limit will fall from 44 to 42 hours at first, then to 40 hours after 12 months.
The amendment is expected to benefit about 14.9 million workers.
Unions and employers are expected to negotiate how the new rules will apply, including in sectors with special work schedules.
- Who
- Workers in Brazil, including about 14.9 million currently on the 6x1 schedule, are affected.
- What
- A constitutional amendment ends the 6x1 schedule and provides two paid rest days each week without a pay cut.
- When
- It begins on December 16, 60 days after the amendment was promulgated and published. The weekly limit falls to 40 hours after 12 months.
- Where
- Brazil.
- Why
- The change is intended to provide more rest and time for family, leisure, culture and study, and to support workers’ health and dignity.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Lula signed a message formally sending a bill on the issue to Congress.
The Senate approved the constitutional amendment in its second round of voting.
Congress promulgated the amendment at a session in the Senate.
The end of the 6x1 schedule is due to begin, with the weekly work limit initially reduced to 42 hours.
The weekly work limit is due to fall to 40 hours.
- Promulgated amendment
- Constitutional amendment 141
- Effective date
- December 16, 2026
- Initial weekly limit
- 42 hours, down from 44
- Later weekly limit
- 40 hours after 12 months
- Paid rest
- Two days each week, with no reduction in salary
- Workers expected to benefit
- About 14.9 million
3 sources
What people are saying
Ninguém quer que empresa quebre. Ninguém aqui deseja que uma empresa quebre, mas também ninguém quer que um trabalhador morra por falta de descanso.
É uma transição razoável de 60 dias. A ideia é discutir a redução para 42 horas e já antecipar o debate das 40 horas.
ter mais tempo de descanso, mais tempo com a família, mais tempo para cuidar de si e de quem se ama são avanços que não têm preço
Se for contar no mês dá uns 15 dias trabalhados. Acaba sendo melhor para o funcionário.