72% of Northeasterners support the end of the 6x1 schedule and research reveals a historic movement that could accelerate a decisive vote in the Chamber later this month.

72% of Northeasterners support the end of the 6×1 schedule and research reveals a historic movement that could accelerate a decisive vote in the Chamber later this month.

Written by Felipe Alves da Silva

Published on 22/05/2026 at 19:03

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Survey reveals record support for ending the 6×1 schedule in the Northeast as the Chamber prepares for a vote that could change the work schedule of millions of workers in Brazil

The discussion about ending the 6×1 schedule has returned to the center of the national debate after a new survey indicated a consistent growth in popular pressure for reducing the workweek in Brazil. According to a Genial/Quaest survey released this Monday, May 18, 2026, the Northeast appears as the region with the greatest support for the proposal: 72% of respondents advocate ending the current model of six consecutive workdays for only one day of rest.

As published by Diário do Nordeste, the data arrives at a decisive moment in the processing of proposals in the Chamber of Deputies, where projects related to reducing the workweek are expected to advance to a vote on the upcoming May 27. The topic gained traction on social media, mobilized unions, businesspeople, and labor relations experts, and became a strategic issue in the national political debate.

The survey interviewed 2,004 Brazilians between May 8 and 11, 2026, through in-person household interviews. The survey has a margin of error of two percentage points and a confidence level of 95%.

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Northeast leads support for ending the 6×1 schedule and surpasses national average

Brazilian workers during a shift in an image about support for ending the 6x1 schedule in the Northeast. — Quaest survey shows that the Northeast leads support for ending the 6×1 schedule in Brazil.

The numbers revealed by the survey show a clear scenario: the majority of Brazilians are in favor of changing the workweek. Even so, the Northeast stood out as the only region in the country above the national average.

While the general support index in Brazil reached 68%, the northeastern states recorded 72% approval for ending the 6×1 schedule. Additionally, only 16% declared themselves against the proposal.

The regional data was distributed as follows:

Northeast: 72% in favor
Southeast: 66% in favor
Central-West/North: 66% in favor
South: 63% in favor

On the national scene, the survey indicated:

68% in favor
22% against
7% don’t know or didn’t respond
3% neither in favor nor against

Despite a slight drop compared to the survey conducted in July 2025 — when the Northeast recorded 77% support — the index remained stable compared to the most recent survey, released in December of the same year.

Experts assess that the maintenance of support indicates that the issue has ceased to be just a union demand and has transformed into a broader social demand, involving quality of life, mental health, and balance between work and rest.

Additionally, workers from sectors such as commerce, services, and logistics appear among the groups most advocating for changes in the current model.

Chamber prepares vote that could redefine working hours in Brazil

The focus now is on the National Congress. According to information published by Folha de S.Paulo, there was an agreement between the federal government and the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Hugo Motta (Republicans-PB), to speed up the voting of proposals related to the end of the 6×1 schedule.

The expectation is that the plenary will vote on the topic on the next May 27, 2026. Before that, on May 26, the special committee responsible for the debate should analyze the proposal’s report.

Currently, there are different projects under consideration in the Chamber. Among them is Bill No. 1838/2026, submitted by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT), as well as PEC 148/2015, by Deputy Paulo Paim (PT-RS).

Although they have important differences, both texts seek to reduce the weekly workload without reducing salaries.

The Lula government project provides for:

Maximum working hours of 40 hours per week
Daily limit of eight hours
Two days of paid rest
Priority for the 5×2 schedule
Maintenance of current salaries

The text also covers different professional categories, including:

Domestic workers
Retail workers
Broadcast workers
Aircrew members
Athletes
Workers governed by the CLT

Another important point is the maintenance of the 12×36 schedule for specific categories, provided that the new average ceiling of 40 hours per week is respected.

Meanwhile, the PEC 148/2015 proposes an even broader change: the gradual reduction of the weekly work hours from 44 to 36 hours over five years.

In this model, the reduction would occur in annual stages until reaching the new limit, without salary changes.

Debate on productivity, health, and economy intensifies pressure for changes

The advancement of the proposal has reignited discussions about productivity, mental health, and quality of life in the Brazilian corporate environment.

Supporters of ending the 6×1 schedule argue that more balanced work hours can increase productivity, reduce medical leave, and improve workers’ performance in the medium term.

Moreover, international studies often link shorter work hours to reduced occupational stress and increased job satisfaction.

On the other hand, business sector representatives express concern about possible financial impacts, especially in segments that operate with high daily demand and a low number of employees.

Even so, economists assess that the change could generate positive effects on internal consumption and the job market, especially if there is an increase in hiring to compensate for the reduction in work hours.

The discussion has also gained momentum on social media, where workers share accounts of physical and emotional exhaustion caused by the 6×1 schedule routine.

In recent months, the topic has become one of the most discussed subjects on digital platforms, further increasing pressure on parliamentarians in Brasília.

With the vote scheduled for the coming days, the expectation is that the debate will become even more intense inside and outside the National Congress.

72% of Northeasterners support the end of the 6×1 schedule and research reveals a historic movement that could accelerate a decisive vote in the Chamber later this month.

Survey reveals record support for ending the 6×1 schedule in the Northeast as the Chamber prepares for a vote that could change the work schedule of millions of workers in Brazil

Northeast leads support for ending the 6×1 schedule and surpasses national average

Chamber prepares vote that could redefine working hours in Brazil

Debate on productivity, health, and economy intensifies pressure for changes

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72% of Northeasterners support the end of the 6×1 schedule and research reveals a historic movement that could accelerate a decisive vote in the Chamber later this month.

Survey reveals record support for ending the 6×1 schedule in the Northeast as the Chamber prepares for a vote that could change the work schedule of millions of workers in Brazil

Northeast leads support for ending the 6×1 schedule and surpasses national average

Chamber prepares vote that could redefine working hours in Brazil

Debate on productivity, health, and economy intensifies pressure for changes

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