✓ verbatim from the press
The Chamber of Deputies approved on the night of May 27, 2026, in two rounds of voting, Constitutional Amendment Proposal 221/2019 that ends the 6x1 work schedule and reduces the workweek from 44 to 40 hours. The vote was 472 in favor and 22 against in the first round, and 461 in favor and 19 against in the second round. The proposal needed at least 308 votes in each round to pass. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"A Câmara dos Deputados aprovou na noite desta quarta-feira (27), em dois turnos, a proposta de Emenda à Constituição (PEC) 221/19 que acaba com a escala de trabalho 6x1. Foram 461 votos favoráveis e 19 contrários, no segundo turno."
The constitutional amendment establishes a 14-month transition for full implementation of the new schedule. According to the approved text, 60 days after the constitutional amendment's enactment, the workweek will drop from 44 to 42 hours and workers will have the right to two paid days off per week — one preferably on Sunday. After 12 months from this first reduction, the workweek will reach the final limit of 40 hours. The proposal guarantees there will be no salary reduction due to the decrease in working hours. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"A PEC determina a redução da jornada de trabalho de 44 para 40 horas semanais, sem perda salarial. A proposta ainda garante duas folgas semanais, sendo uma preferencialmente aos domingos. As mudanças entrarão em vigor 60 dias após a promulgação do texto."
The approved text is a substitute by Deputy Leo Prates (Republicans-BA), which unified proposals by deputies Reginaldo Lopes (PT-MG) and Erika Hilton (PSOL-SP). Lopes' original proposal provided for a 36-hour workweek with a 10-year transition, while Hilton's defended a 4x3 schedule with 36 weekly hours. The final agreement established a 5x2 schedule with 40 weekly hours and a 14-month transition. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"O texto aprovado hoje foi apresentado pelo relator, Leo Prates (Republicanos-BA), para duas propostas de emenda à Constituição que já tramitavam: a PEC 221/19, do deputado Reginaldo Lopes (PT-MG), que estabelecia 36 horas semanais após um período de 10 anos, e a PEC 8/25, da deputada Erika Hilton (Psol-SP), que introduzia a escala 4x3 (quatro dias de trabalho e três de descanso), com limite de 36 horas semanais, depois de um ano."
Now the constitutional amendment goes to the Federal Senate for analysis, where it will need approval by at least 49 of 81 senators, also in two rounds. The federal government is working to accelerate proceedings in the upper house, while representatives from the productive sector have already met with Senate President Davi Alcolumbre to request more time to adapt to the changes. The expectation is that the text will be voted on before the July parliamentary recess. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"A expectativa do governo e de Hugo Motta é que o presidente do Senado, Davi Alcolumbre (União-AP), acelere o processo de votação do texto assim que a Câmara enviar a proposta para os senadores, fazendo com que a PEC seja aprovada em até 30 dias. A ideia é ter o projeto promulgado antes do recesso parlamentar, previsto para começar em 18 de julho."
The constitutional amendment was approved by a wide majority in both voting rounds
The transition will be done in two stages over 14 months
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (2)
The PL presented a motion defending the 4x3 schedule as a strategy to embarrass the government
Business leaders met with Davi Alcolumbre to try to delay Senate proceedings
Points disputed between the actors (1)
The same outlets report both versions — the contradiction is between the actors in the story, not between outlets.
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How will the Senate define the constitutional amendment's processing schedule?
Why it's still unknown: Senate President Davi Alcolumbre has not yet publicly stated the voting calendar for the proposal.
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What will be the real fiscal impact of reducing the workweek?
Why it's still unknown: No official cost estimates for companies or impact on public accounts were presented during the Chamber proceedings.
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How will exceptions for specific sectors like healthcare and security be regulated?
Why it's still unknown: The constitutional amendment provides for subsequent regulation through complementary law, but details have not been defined.