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New Proposal for Reducing Working Hours Without Salary Cuts Has Generated a Lot of Expectation and Put Employers and Workers at Opposing Poles of an Intense Debate.
The Bill (PL) 1105/2023, authored by Senator Weverton (PDT-MA), aims to transform the job market by reducing the weekly working hours to four days while maintaining full salary.
According to the proposal, this change can only be implemented through collective conventions or collective agreements, eliminating the possibility of individual agreements, as suggested by the rapporteur Paulo Paim (PT-RS).
The Social Affairs Committee (CAS) has already approved the bill, but it will still go through debates in the Senate floor, facing a series of amendments.
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International Context and the Relevance of the Change
The reduction of working hours is not a new idea. In countries like France, Germany, and Spain, this concept has already been adopted or is under discussion, always focused on improving the quality of life for workers.
According to Paulo Paim, this change in Brazil would be an attempt to align the country with a global trend seeking a greater balance between personal and professional life, without compromising productivity.
According to Dieese (Inter-Union Department of Statistics and Socioeconomic Studies), Brazil had the conditions to adopt this policy since 2010.
According to studies by the entity, the salary cost in Brazil is relatively low compared to the total production, making the reduction of working hours feasible without having to cut salaries.
This justification becomes even more significant when considering the positive impact this change could have on the welfare of workers.
The Scenario in Brazil: Inequality and the Impact of Productivity
The last major change to the working hours in Brazil occurred with the 1988 Constitution, when the working hours were set at 44 hours per week.
Since then, the country’s economy has undergone various technological transformations, allowing for a redistribution of gains in productivity.
However, data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) reveal that the share of wages in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) fell by 12.9% between 2016 and 2021, marking the worst performance in 16 years.
While wages lose strength, company profits continue to rise. In the same period, the gross operating surplus of companies grew by 16%, as pointed out by sociologist Adriana Marcolino from Dieese.
For her, the reduction of working hours without a decrease in salaries would be a fair way to redistribute these gains in productivity, benefiting not only workers but also the economy as a whole.
Health and Quality of Life at Stake
In addition to economic aspects, the reduction of working hours without salary cuts would bring significant benefits for the health and well-being of workers.
Doctor Maria Maeno from Fundacentro explains that long working hours are directly associated with an increase in the number of occupational diseases and work accidents.
According to her, by working fewer hours per week, workers would have more time to rest, take care of their health, and dedicate themselves to their personal lives.
Data from the Unified Health System (SUS) indicate that between 2007 and 2022, there were nearly three million cases of work-related diseases reported, such as repetitive strain injuries and accidents. These numbers may be even higher, as many treatments conducted in private health networks are not counted.
International Experiences and the Brazilian Model
The idea of a four-day workweek has been successfully tested in several countries. In the United Kingdom, 61 companies adopted the model in 2023, and the results were impressive: 39% of workers reported less stress, 79% noticed a reduction in burnout symptoms, and 54% said they managed to balance personal and professional life better.
In Brazil, the 4 Day Week Brazil organization is monitoring a pilot project with 22 companies that adopted the rule “100-80-100”: employees work 80% of the time, receive 100% of the salary, and deliver 100% of productivity.
According to the organization, preliminary results indicate significant improvements in workers’ attendance and mental health.
The Challenges Ahead in Reducing Working Hours
Although the project has broad support in some sectors, such as that of Labor Minister Luiz Marinho, the proposal faces strong resistance from entrepreneurs.
Many fear that, even with the reduction in hours, maintaining the same productivity could compromise profits and competitiveness of companies.
As pointed out by Clemente Ganz Lucio, technical advisor of the Central Unions, this requirement to maintain productivity at 100% is the main obstacle in negotiations.
Moreover, the impact of automation and new technologies on the job market is an issue that cannot be ignored.
Studies indicate that between 40% and 60% of job openings will be affected in the next ten years due to automation, making reduced working hours an urgent necessity to face the changes to come.
Reduction in Working Hours: Uncertain but Promising Future
The debate about the reduction of working hours promises to continue in Brazil over the coming months, generating controversies and heated discussions.
While some argue that this change would bring benefits for everyone involved, others fear it could harm productivity and competitiveness in the country.
And you, reader? Do you believe Brazil should have laws reducing the working hours of Brazilians? Leave your opinion in the comments!
Eu acredito que vai ser muito bom pra nós trabalhadores
Sou a favor sim, eu trabalho de madrugada de segunda a sábado, numa grande empresa multinacional e chega na segunda exausta do mesmo jeito da semana anterior, não dá tempo de descanso direito ainda mais p mulher que chega em casa o trabalho não acaba
Banir a escala 6×1 do país porque você não tem tempo de qualidade com sua família e até com você mesmo.
As empresas só visam lucro,abusam dos horários de trabalho dos trabalhadores e os mesmos quando se lesionam por conta do trabalho e da jornada excessiva são descartados como se fossem um nada .
Precisamos sim da redução de jornada sem redução de salários.