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4×3 Schedule in Brazil? Michel Temer Believes the Country Is Not Ready for Change. Experts Point to Informality and Low Productivity as Obstacles. Are We Far from This Transformation?
While much of the world is making progress with the adoption of reduced work hours, a controversial topic has been stirring the political and economic landscape in Brazil.
The possibility of a model in which workers operate for four days and rest for three, known as the 4×3 schedule, raises questions about productivity, the economy, and even the national work culture.
But is Brazil ready to embrace this idea? The answer, according to a prominent figure in the political landscape, might be discouraging.
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Last Monday (25), former president Michel Temer (MDB) attended an event organized by the National Confederation of Commerce of Goods, Services and Tourism (CNC) in São Paulo.
During his speech, he stated that Brazil is not prepared for the 4×3 work schedule and suggested that the measure, besides not being feasible, could face resistance from both employers and the workers themselves.
Statements from Michel Temer
“I think Brazil is still not ready for this. There’s no way”, stated the former president.
Temer recalled a past experience in Congress, between 1997 and 1998, when the issue of reducing the workweek from 44 to 40 hours was debated.
Despite a year of discussions, the proposal did not advance.
“I even proposed reducing it to 42 hours, but it wasn’t possible,” Temer said.
In his view, the 4×3 model would have a negative impact on both productivity and company costs, considering the current economic situation in Brazil.
Temer also pointed out that the change could lead workers to seek other sources of income on their days off.
“My feeling is that, on the other three days, the worker will find another job,” he emphasized.
Erika Hilton’s Proposal
The idea of a 4×3 schedule in Brazil gained prominence recently with the Proposed Constitutional Amendment (PEC) presented by Deputy Erika Hilton (PSOL-SP).
The proposal aims to amend Article 7, item 13, of the Federal Constitution, which regulates the work schedule.
The deputy argues that the change would bring benefits for both mental health and worker productivity.
However, the initiative faces criticism from various sectors, highlighting obstacles such as the high rate of informal work and the low average productivity in the country.
According to experts consulted by Folha de S.Paulo, Brazil has structural challenges that make implementing a reduced work schedule difficult.
Informality, which affects about 39% of the workforce, and the low qualifications of many workers are barriers that hinder adaptation to this model.
International Scenario
Reducing work hours is not a new topic in the global landscape. Countries like Iceland, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand have led initiatives to implement the 4×3 schedule, with promising results.
Studies conducted in these nations showed that, in several cases, worker productivity increased while stress levels significantly decreased.
However, experts claim that Brazil’s socioeconomic and cultural conditions are very different from those of the countries that have successfully adopted reduced hours.
The Brazilian work model, historically focused on long hours and high turnover, requires deeper changes before initiatives like the 4×3 could be considered viable.
Economy and Employability
Another point raised by critics of the proposal is the economic impact. According to former president Michel Temer, the increased costs for employers could be unsustainable, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises that are already facing financial difficulties.
On the other hand, proponents of the reduced hours argue that the model could create new job openings in the market by dividing the total available time among more workers.
However, Brazil would still need to overcome barriers such as the precarious working conditions and the increase in informal jobs.
What’s at Stake?
The debate over the 4×3 work schedule goes beyond a simple change in work routine. It involves issues of productivity, well-being, economic competitiveness, and even deep cultural transformations.
While some support the idea as a step toward modernization, others, like former president Michel Temer, warn about the challenges and risks of adopting a measure that the country is still not ready to implement.
And what do you think about the topic? Should Brazil invest in reducing work hours or do structural challenges make the idea unfeasible? Leave your opinion in the comments!
Seu c….uu.. ****
Com certeza escala 4X3 simmmmmm… somos seres humanos e não máquinas. Os empregadores precisam entender isso!!! Trabalhamos para ter o nosso sustento, não para ser escravos do serviço. A nossa saúde mental está pedindo socorro! Não temos tempo para nossa família , nossa casa !! Patrão só quer ganhar dinheiro e que se dane o resto.
Porque você não abre uma empresa para você é implanta essa teoria que está sugerindo?
Já que o lucro é absurdo, aproveita e comece um negócio próprio, seja o primeiro a chegar na empresa e o último a sair, contrate funcionários, assinei a carteira deles, paguei plano de saúde, plano odontológico, seguro de vida, décimo terceiro, férias e gratificação.
Pague aluguel, energia, água, contador, o imposto simples, pague também um técnico de trabalho.
Pague todos seus fornecedores, desconte as taxas das máquinas de cartão.
Reduza a margem de lucro para ter um produto com preço competitivo em relação aos seus concorrentes, para vender mais.
Você vai lucrar muito.
Mas lembre-se que proprietário não tem férias, décimo terceiro, plano de saúde, seguro de vida.
O que deveriam mesmo é bonificar os funcionários. A cada ano trabalhado. Sem faltas . Dando premiação especial. Incluindo sexta de Natal. Funcionário q não falta. Tem muitos patrões que só dá o básico. E não dá valor nenhum ao funcionário. So eles ganham . Não custa nada agradar pq tornamos uma família. E o dinheiro que ganhar é um absurdo . Um dia todos nós morreremos e ficará tudo aí. Então divide o pão de cada dia . E nos façam felizes
Porque você não abre uma empresa para você é implanta essa teoria que está sugerindo?
Já que o lucro é absurdo, aproveita e comece um negócio próprio, seja o primeiro a chegar na empresa e o último a sair, contrate funcionários, assinei a carteira deles, paguei plano de saúde, plano odontológico, seguro de vida, décimo terceiro, férias e gratificação.
Pague aluguel, energia, água, contador, o imposto simples, pague também um técnico de trabalho.
Pague todos seus fornecedores, desconte as taxas das máquinas de cartão.
Reduza a margem de lucro para ter um produto com preço competitivo em relação aos seus concorrentes, para vender mais.
Você vai lucrar muito.
Mas lembre-se que proprietário não tem férias, décimo terceiro, plano de saúde, seguro de vida.