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The reduction of working hours in Brazil, with the proposal to reduce hours to 36 or 40 weekly, could generate billion-dollar costs, with significant impacts on sectors such as services, industry, and agriculture, increasing operational costs and pressuring the economy.
The proposal to reduce the working hours to 36 or 40 hours per week, replacing the current schedule of 44 hours, could have a significant financial impact on Brazilian companies. According to a survey by Fecomércio-SP (Federation of Trade in Goods, Services, and Tourism of the State of São Paulo), the additional costs could range from R$ 158.4 billion to R$ 610 billion, depending on the reduction model adopted.
Financial impact of the end of the 6×1 schedule
The estimated loss for Brazilian companies takes into account the need to adjust the payroll due to the reduction in hours worked.
If the weekly workload is reduced from 44 to 40 hours, the impact would be approximately R$ 158.4 billion.
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If the working hours are shortened to 36 hours, this amount could increase to R$ 610 billion, representing a significant change in the operational costs of companies, especially in sectors with a higher concentration of formal workers.
Sectors most affected by the reduction of working hours
Fecomércio-SP highlights that the reduction of working hours would not affect all areas equally, with the services sector being the most impacted. If the workload is reduced to 40 hours, the increase in the payroll of the sector would be around R$ 77 billion, rising to R$ 337.7 billion in the scenario of a 36-hour workweek.
Other sectors would also face significant challenges, such as industry, retail, construction, and agriculture, whose costs would increase considerably as the working hours were reduced. For example, the industrial sector could see an increase of R$ 35.9 billion to R$ 122.1 billion, depending on the reduction in hours.
The relationship between the workforce and increased costs
This high additional cost is mainly due to the profile of the Brazilian workforce, which is still predominantly composed of workers with formal contracts and workweeks between 40 and 44 hours. Fecomércio-SP points out that about 35.7 million workers are in this range, which corresponds to 62% of the total formal employment contracts in Brazil. In sectors such as agriculture, retail, and construction, this number is even higher, making the reduction of working hours a significant challenge for these segments.
Increase in cost per hour and effects on the labor market
One of the main consequences of reducing working hours without a proportional cut in salaries would be the increase in the cost per hour worked. A concrete example shows that if a worker hired for 44 hours per week receives R$ 2,200 monthly, their cost per hour is R$ 10.
If the workweek is reduced to 40 hours, the cost per hour rises to R$ 11, representing a 10% increase. With the workweek reduced to 36 hours, the value of the hour worked rises to R$ 12.22, which implies a 22.2% increase.
Restructuring of work schedules and operational impacts
In addition to the direct financial effects, the reduction of working hours would require a significant restructuring of work schedules in various sectors, especially those that operate continuously, such as commerce, logistics, and essential services.
The decrease in the availability of workers throughout the day could create an imbalance between the demand for services and the supply of labor, leading to increases in operational costs. This could affect the capacity to serve and increase pressure on the prices of products and services.
Possible negative consequences for the labor market and consumers
Although the goal of improving the quality of life for workers is a positive aspect, Fecomércio-SP warns that the reduction of working hours could bring more negative effects than benefits if not implemented carefully.
Companies could seek alternatives such as reducing hiring, laying off formal employees, and shifting to informal hiring models, in addition to accelerating automation.
In sectors where the physical presence of the worker is indispensable, such as health and transportation, adaptation would become even more difficult, generating possible negative impacts on public services and increasing inflation.
The need for careful adjustments in the reduction of working hours
Fecomércio-SP assesses that the reduction of working hours must be carefully calibrated to avoid adverse effects on the economy and the labor market.
The implementation of changes must be closely monitored to ensure that the financial, operational, and social impacts are not more harmful than beneficial.
The entity also highlights that, in sectors with high demand for continuous services, adapting to the new work schedule could be a significant challenge, with consequences for companies and consumers.
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