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A controversial proposal could change how Brazilians spend their holidays. A congressman suggests transferring weekday holidays to Sundays, claiming it would harm the economy. What does this mean for you? Learn more about the pros and cons of this idea that promises to transform daily life and labor rights in the country.
Imagine a Brazil where traditional holidays, such as Independence Day or Carnival, cease to be a long rest in the middle of the week and are automatically transferred to Sundays.
This proposal, which has already sparked intense debate, came from federal deputy Marcos Pollon (PL-MS) and promises to reconfigure the way Brazilians enjoy their days off.
The justification? Increase the country's economic competitiveness and reduce the financial impacts caused by the interruption of production activities.
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Understand the proposal of deputy Marcos Pollon
Marcos Pollon's initiative, initially presented as a bill in 2023, now appears as a Proposed Amendment to the Constitution (PEC).
The main objective is simple: to transfer national holidays that fall during the week to the first subsequent Sunday.
The main points of the PEC text include:
- Mandatory transfer of holidays for the following Sunday.
- End of optional point in public offices, while the private sector will be able to decide whether it will operate or not.
- In the case of transferred holidays, public offices will operate as normal.
According to Pollon, midweek holidays cause significant losses to the national economy, especially for sectors such as commerce, industry and services.
He states that “the interruption in the production scale increases the operational costs of companies, and the end consumer is the one who pays for this”.
The economic impacts of holidays
As justified by the congressperson, the holiday shutdown results in losses to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and job creation.
He highlights that, by interrupting the operations of companies and closing businesses, the productive sectors suffer direct impacts, compromising their revenues.
“Each holiday represents a burden on companies’ cash flow, whether in terms of operational costs or reduced productivity,” explained Pollon in an interview with CNN Brasil.
For him, transferring holidays to Sundays would be a way to balance workers' rest with the need to keep the economy active.
Complementary proposals and controversies
While Marcos Pollon's proposal focuses on the transfer of holidays, another recent PEC, presented by deputy Erika Hilton (PSOL-SP), debates the end of the 6×1 work schedule.
Despite being different in essence, both proposals have generated heated discussions about how to balance the labor rights with economic productivity.
In addition, Pollon is also seeking support for a PEC dubbed “Double salary PEC”, which aims to eliminate taxes related to the Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT) and, supposedly, increase workers' average income.
Criticism and reactions to the PEC on holidays
Although Pollon argues that the measure is essential to reduce economic losses, opponents argue that Holidays represent more than rest; they have important historical, cultural and religious significance.
Economists also differ on the real impacts.
While some acknowledge that productivity could increase with fewer interruptions, others point out that sectors such as tourism and leisure, which depend directly on holidays, could suffer major losses.
In the labor field, unions have raised concerns about workers' right to rest and quality of life.
After all, turning holidays into Sundays can limit the possibilities for travel, celebrations and family moments, generating social dissatisfaction.
The future of holidays in Brazil
Despite the controversies, the PEC on holidays is still in the signature collection phase and needs to overcome several legislative stages before being approved.
If you move forward, The daily lives of Brazilians could undergo significant changes, both at work and at leisure.
Meanwhile, the proposal continues to generate intense debates about the best way to balance economic interests and citizens' rights.
And what do you think? Do weekday holidays really harm Brazil or are they part of our culture and deserve to be preserved?
I think a holiday in the middle of the week is a delay in progress….support the idea…are you finally👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I think it's right. Holidays on weekdays just get in the way.
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If the holiday is going to be transferred to Sunday, it's better to do away with holidays. Now it's very easy for a **** who earns tons of money, works whenever he wants, to propose a law like this. He should propose a law that service to the community of Deputies and Senators should be voluntary, without pay. Workers receive undignified, slave-like pay and then there are those who defend such an idiot.