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A survey reveals that 65% of Brazilians are calling for shorter working hours! PEC 4/2025 is on the agenda, proposing a reduction to 40 hours per week. While experts discuss the possible economic impacts, the population seeks a balance between work and personal life. Are we on the verge of a revolution in the labor market?
The search for a work-life balance has intensified in Brazil in recent years. A recent survey by Nexus revealed that 65% of Brazilians are in favor of reducing working hours.
This data reflects a global trend of rethinking traditional working hours in favor of a better quality of life.
Popular support for shorter working hours
Nexus' research highlighted that support for reducing working hours is even more significant among young people aged 16 to 24, reaching 76%.
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Among the unemployed, 73% are in favor of the measure, while 66% of current workers also support the change.
These numbers indicate a significant demand for changes in labor laws that include shorter working hours.
Proposed Amendment to the Constitution (PEC) in progress
In response to this popular demand, PEC 4/2025 is currently being processed in the Federal Senate, which proposes reducing the maximum weekly working hours to 40 hours, with a limit of 8 hours per day, distributed over up to 5 days per week. Weekly paid rest would preferably be on Saturdays and Sundays.
Economic impacts of reduced working hours
The Getulio Vargas Foundation, through the Brazilian Institute of Economics (FGV Ibre), analyzed the possible economic effects of reducing working hours.
A reducing to 40 hours a week could result in a 2,6% loss of income in the economy, while a reduction to 36 hours a week could lead to a 7,4% loss.
These data suggest that a more drastic reduction in working hours could have a significant effect on the Brazilian economy as a whole.
Variations in support for reduced working hours
The survey also revealed interesting variations in support for reducing working hours among different segments of the population.
Among those in the job market (formal or informal), 66% are in favor. Among the unemployed, 73% support the reduction.
Among young people aged 16 to 24, 76% are in favor of the measure. This data suggests that support for reducing working hours is even more significant among young people and those who are out of the labor market.
Debate on the 6×1 scale
A 6×1 scale, in which workers work six days and rest one, has been the target of criticism. A Datafolha survey showed that 64% of Brazilians support the end of this schedule.
Furthermore, 70% of respondents believe that the ideal journey should be five days, while 17% prefer six days and 7% opt for four days.
Arguments in favor of reducing working hours
Advocates for reducing working hours present several arguments to justify the change:
- Improving quality of life: Shorter working hours would allow workers more time for personal and family activities, contributing to overall well-being.
- Productivity increase: Less stressed and more rested employees tend to be more productive in their roles.
- Job creation: The need to cover reduced hours could lead to the creation of new vacancies in the job market.
- Alignment with international trends: Countries like Spain have adopted measures to reduce working hours, seeking to balance professional and personal life. elpais.com
Arguments against reducing working hours
On the other hand, critics of the proposal to reduce working hours present important counterpoints:
- Increased costs for companies: The need to hire more employees or pay overtime could increase operating expenses.
- Reduction of competitiveness: Brazilian companies could lose space in the international market due to higher costs.
- Risk of increasing informality: Employers could opt for informal hiring to avoid additional costs.
- Possible drop in workers' income: If wages are adjusted in proportion to the reduction in hours, workers could earn less.
Final considerations
The discussion about reducing working hours in Brazil is complex and involves multiple economic and social aspects.
While a significant portion of the population supports the measure aimed at improving quality of life, it is essential to carefully evaluate the economic impacts and particularities of each sector before implementing significant changes in labor legislation.
It is absurd to see this view that the reduction of working hours will have negative aspects. Please, this is the 21st century. Million-dollar companies galore, super rich people and millions of super poor people. Obviously these wretched souls do not want to reduce their working hours. As if they were in charge of anything. The people are the ones who give the orders, and the good life of politicians is the people. The people are the ones who choose.
It's **** the idea that reducing working hours negatively affects the economy, at most it would affect it in the short term
This argument is old and has been used to exhaustion.