✓ verbatim from the press
A Constitutional Amendment Proposal ending the 6x1 work schedule — six work days for one day off — was approved by the Chamber of Deputies in two rounds on Wednesday (27) and sent to the Federal Senate. PEC 221/2019 gradually reduces the weekly workload from 44 to 40 hours, guarantees two paid rest days per week and prohibits salary reduction. In the first round, there were 472 votes in favor and 22 against; in the second, 461 in favor and 19 against. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"A Câmara dos Deputados aprovou, em dois turnos, a PEC 221/19, que acaba com a escala de trabalho 6x1 e reduz a jornada semanal de 44 para 40 horas, sem redução salarial"
"No primeiro turno de votação, o projeto aprovado teve apoio de 472 parlamentares ao fim da escala, enquanto 22 discordaram. No segundo turno, o placar caiu para 461 a favor e 19 contra"
The approved text establishes a two-stage transition: 60 days after promulgation, the workload drops from 44 to 42 hours per week with immediate end of the 6x1 schedule. After 14 months, working hours reach the definitive 40 hours per week. The proposal is a substitute by rapporteur Leo Prates (Republicans-BA) to the original PECs by Reginaldo Lopes (PT-MG) and Erika Hilton (Psol-SP), which provided for 36-hour workweeks. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"A diminuição das quatro horas semanais não será imediata, segundo o relatório. A redução será progressiva: após a promulgação, os sindicatos e as entidades terão 60 dias para adequar as cláusulas de convenções e acordos coletivos à realidade da PEC"
"A proposta aprovada foi construída a partir da junção de duas PECs que já tramitavam na Casa. Uma delas era a de Reginaldo Lopes (PT-MG), que previa 36 horas semanais em um período de 10 anos, e a outra, de Erika Hilton (Psol-SP)"
The PEC was filed in the Federal Senate on May 28, 2026 and awaits dispatch for committee designation or direct referral to the Plenary, according to the House's official portal. For approval, it needs three-fifths of senators (49 votes) in two rounds. Labor Minister Luiz Marinho estimated that the Senate vote could occur within 30 days, but acknowledged that "Parliament's time is Parliament's time." ✓
Press quotes (2)
"Último local: 28/05/2026 - Secretaria Legislativa do Senado Federal. Último estado: 28/05/2026 - AGUARDANDO DESPACHO... Autuada a Proposta de Emenda à Constituição nº 221/2019 proveniente da Câmara dos Deputados."
"Eu não gosto muito de falar de prazo para o Parlamento, porque seria uma certa interferência, o que não é saudável. O tempo do Parlamento é o tempo do Parlamento. Evidente que se o Senado estiver debruçado com prioridade, com desejo da agilidade que a Câmara trabalhou, creio que 30 dias é o suficiente"
The text creates an exception for workers with higher education diplomas and monthly remuneration equal to or greater than two and a half times the General Social Security ceiling — about R$ 21,000 — who are excluded from rules relating to work duration and schedule control. This category can individually negotiate with employers rules about schedules, overtime, breaks and time control. Business entities met with Senate President Davi Alcolumbre to pressure for changes in the text, especially regarding schedule flexibility and transition deadlines. ✓
Press quotes (3)
"Pelo texto, trabalhadores com diploma de curso superior e remuneração mensal igual ou superior a duas vezes e meia o teto do Regime Geral de Previdência Social não estariam sujeitos às regras relativas à duração do trabalho e ao controle de jornada."
"A PEC prevê que trabalhadores com ensino superior e salário mensal acima de duas vezes e meia o teto da Previdência, cerca de R$ 21 mil, poderão negociar individualmente com o patrão regras relacionadas à jornada, como horas extras, pausas e controle de ponto"
"Na terça-feira (26), lideranças empresariais se reuniram com o presidente do Senado, Davi Alcolumbre, e líderes partidários para discutir a tramitação do tema"
The PEC was approved by a large majority in the Chamber in two rounds
The text establishes gradual transition with two stages of workload reduction
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (2)
Trade unions mobilize pressure on senators for approval
Conflicting versions (1)
Salary ceiling value for PEC exception
-
What will be the Senate's official position on text amendments?
Why it's still unknown: Although businesspeople met with Davi Alcolumbre to pressure for changes, there is no formal public position from the Senate on specific modifications
-
How will the practical implementation of the PEC work in sectors with specific schedules?
Why it's still unknown: The text provides for subsequent regulation for categories like healthcare, but does not detail adaptation mechanisms
-
What is the estimated fiscal impact of the measure for public entities?
Why it's still unknown: There are no consolidated estimates on costs of adapting public sector outsourced contracts