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The PEC to end the 6x1 scale promises a better quality of life for Brazilian workers, facing resistance from productive sectors and government analysis. With support from social networks and popular pressure, the proposal questions the deterioration of the current model and suggests alternatives. Will the end of the 6x1 scale be approved?
A new proposed amendment to the Constitution (PEC) promises to drastically change the lives of Brazilian workers.
With the support of political leaders and a growing movement on social media, the end of 6×1 work schedule has gained strength and brings to the fore discussions about working conditions and quality of life in the country.
The idea is to change the current model in which workers work six days in a row and only rest for one, replacing it with alternatives that provide more rest time.
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According to the CNN Brasil channel, the government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) is monitoring the repercussions of the PEC and should begin a discussion on the subject and define in the next few days whether it will take a position on the matter or leave the issue to the Legislature.
So far, the Planalto Palace has not yet taken a position on the issue and considers it a delicate one. However, the president's allies admit that the debate is valid and is gaining momentum around the world.
What changes with the PEC
The proposal is led by deputy Erika Hilton (PSOL) and is being debated in the National Congress.
According to CNN, Hilton, supported by the Life Beyond Work (VAT) movement founded by Rick Azevedo, aims to amend the Constitution to end journey 6×1.
This work model, where professionals work six consecutive days and rest only one, is regulated by the Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT) since 1943.
However, the Planalto Palace considers the issue sensitive and complex. The proposal already has the support of 70 parliamentarians, but to be officially processed it will need 171 signatures from deputies or 22 senators.
If approved, the measure will bring about a structural reform to labor relations, mainly impacting professions with intense working hours, such as in the areas of health, industry and security.
Alternatives to the 6×1 regime
If the 6×1 model is discontinued, the alternatives vary between scales already common in the market, each with its own characteristics for different sectors and working conditions. Among them:
5×2 scale: You work for five days and rest for two. This is the most traditional model, prevalent in jobs that work from Monday to Friday. It provides more free time on the weekend and is ideal for those looking for a more predictable routine.
4×2 scale: Common in sectors such as security and health, this schedule allows four days of work followed by two days of rest. It reduces worker fatigue by offering more frequent breaks.
12×36 scale: Workers work for 12 hours straight and rest for 36 hours. Used in sectors that require continuous presence, such as hospitals and security, it allows longer rest periods for recovery after intense workdays.
6×2 scale: In this regime, you work for six days and rest for two, providing more weekly time off than the 6x1. It is an intermediate option that aims to reduce the impact of physical and emotional exhaustion.
According to Hilton, the purpose of changing the 6×1 model is to improve quality of life of workers, allowing them to have more time for rest and leisure, which promotes general well-being and strengthens family ties.
In a statement to Agência Câmara, Hilton emphasized that the current scale compromises “the health, well-being and personal relationships of workers”.
Movement for change gains strength
Rick Azevedo's VAT movement has been essential for advancing the agenda.
Initially founded as a social media campaign, the movement is now a political force, with more than 1,3 million signatures supporting the proposed change.
Popular pressure also encouraged Hilton to request a public hearing to deepen the debate on the PEC.
According to the Ministry of Labor, the CLT rules do not specify the ideal length of rest, they only guarantee the right to “paid weekly rest”, preferably on Sundays.
Thus, despite the Constitution guaranteeing weekly rest, the practice of the 6×1 scale remained in force for decades.
Why does the 6×1 scale persist to this day?
With working hours limitations stipulated by the Constitution, the 6×1 model has survived over the decades, even after several labor reforms, such as the one in 2017, which made overtime compensation more flexible and introduced intermittent work.
Although trade unions have been demanding a reform of the scale for years, many sectors consider the 6×1 model necessary to maintain productivity.
The 6×1 scale is particularly common in areas where operations need to occur without interruption, such as in industry, at trade and essential services sector, including hospitals and security forces.
However, experts point out that this format can contribute to increased occupational stress and reduced productivity in the long term, harming the mental and physical health of professionals.
What if the PEC is approved?
If approved, the PEC will change the format of working hours in Brazil, directly influencing the working conditions and dynamics of millions of Brazilians.
The unions hope that the approval of the proposal will be the first step towards transforming the country's work model, ensuring more time for leisure, personal activities and rest.
The issue, however, still generates debate. For some sectors, the end of the 6x1 scale may imply increased costs and require additional hiring to cover workers' extra rest time.
Other categories, however, see the change as a significant gain in the fight for better working conditions and greater respect for rest time.
The expectation is that the federal government will take a position on the proposal in the coming days. Until then, the Planalto Palace is observing the repercussions and evaluating the possible developments, without making any public commitments on the issue.
And you, are you for or against the end of the 6×1 scale? What do you consider the ideal scale for the worker?
I'm in favor, because sometimes we want to go out with the family on the weekend, and unfortunately we don't go out because of work.
For the tourism sector, the ideal is 12×36