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The PEC to End the 6×1 Work Schedule Promises More Quality of Life for Brazilian Workers, Facing Resistance from Productive Sectors and Government Analysis. With Support on Social Media and Popular Pressure, the Proposal Questions the Wear and Tear of the Current Model and Suggests Alternatives. Will the End of the 6×1 Work Schedule Be Approved?
A new constitutional amendment proposal (PEC) promises to drastically change the lives of Brazilian workers.
With support from political leaders and a growing movement on social media, the end of the 6×1 work schedule has gained momentum and brings discussions about working conditions and quality of life in the country to the fore.
The idea is to change the current model in which workers work six consecutive days to rest for only one, replacing it with alternatives that provide more rest time.
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According to CNN Brasil, 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, deciding in the coming days whether it will take a position on the matter or leave it to the Legislative branch.
So far, the Planalto Palace has not taken a position on the subject and considers it delicate. However, the president’s allies admit that the debate is valid and is gaining traction worldwide.
What Changes with the PEC
The proposal is led by Deputy Erika Hilton (PSOL) and is under discussion in the National Congress.
According to CNN, Hilton, supported by the Vida Além do Trabalho (VAT) movement founded by Rick Azevedo, aims to amend the Constitution to abolish the 6×1 work schedule.
This work model, where professionals work six consecutive days and rest only one, has been 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 legislators, but to proceed officially, it will need 171 deputies’ signatures or 22 senators.
If approved, the measure will bring about a structural reform in labor relations, impacting primarily professions with intense work hours, such as in health care, industry, and security.
Alternatives to the 6×1 Schedule
If the 6×1 model is abolished, the alternatives vary among scales already common in the market, each with its own characteristics for different sectors and working conditions. Among them:
5×2 Schedule: Works five days and rests two. It is the most traditional model, predominant in jobs with a Monday-to-Friday schedule. It provides more free time on weekends and is ideal for those seeking greater predictability in their routine.
4×2 Schedule: Common in sectors such as security and health, this schedule allows for four days of work followed by two days of rest. It reduces worker fatigue by offering more frequent breaks.
12×36 Schedule: Workers operate for 12 consecutive hours and rest for 36 hours. Used in sectors that require continuous presence, such as hospitals and security, it allows for longer rest periods for recovery after intense shifts.
6×2 Schedule: In this regime, workers are on duty for six days and rest for two, providing more weekly time off than the 6×1 model. It is an intermediate option aimed at reducing the impact of physical and emotional wear.
According to Hilton, the goal of altering the 6×1 model is to improve the quality of life for workers, allowing them more time for rest and leisure, which enhances overall well-being and strengthens family ties.
In a statement to Agência Câmara, Hilton emphasized that the current schedule compromises “the health, well-being, and personal relationships of workers.”
Movement for Change Gains Momentum
The VAT movement, led by Rick Azevedo, has been essential for advancing the agenda.
Initially founded as a social media campaign, the movement is now a political force, with over 1.3 million signatures supporting the proposal for change.
Popular pressure has also prompted Hilton to request a public hearing to deepen the debate on the PEC.
According to the Ministry of Labor, CLT rules do not specify the ideal length of rest, merely guaranteeing the right to “paid weekly rest,” preferably on Sundays.
Thus, although the Constitution ensures weekly rest, the practice of the 6×1 schedule has persisted for decades.
Why Does the 6×1 Schedule Persist Today?
With working hour limits set by the Constitution, the 6×1 model has survived over the decades, even after various labor reforms, such as the one in 2017, which relaxed overtime compensation and introduced intermittent work.
Although labor unions have been calling for reform of the schedule for years, many sectors consider the 6×1 model necessary to maintain productivity.
The 6×1 schedule is particularly common in areas where operations need to occur without interruption, such as in the industry, commerce, and essential services sector, including hospitals and security forces.
However, experts point out that this format can contribute to increased occupational stress and reduced long-term productivity, adversely affecting the mental and physical health of professionals.
And If the PEC Is Approved?
If approved, the PEC will change the format of work schedules in Brazil, directly influencing the conditions and dynamics of work for millions of Brazilians.
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, continues to generate debate. For some sectors, the end of the 6×1 schedule could 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 monitors the repercussions and evaluates potential developments without publicly committing to the issue.
And you, do you support or oppose the end of the 6×1 schedule? What do you consider the ideal schedule for workers?
Para o setor turistico ,o ideal é 12×36
Sou a favor, porque as vezes queremos sair com a família final de semana, e infelizmente não saímos devido ao trabalho.