Brazilian Chamber of Deputies approves the end of the 6x1 working day and reduces it to 40 hours a week

Published at: 28/05/2026 10:08 AM

The Brazilian Chamber of Deputies approved the draft constitutional amendment that permanently eliminates the work scale of six days of work and one of rest. With this reform, the legislation abandoned the traditional scheme to establish a model that guarantees workers two full days of weekly rest, responding to a historic demand from various social and union sectors in the country.

The new standard establishes a maximum limit of 40 working hours per week, which represents a progressive reduction compared to the 44 hours in force to date. The main objective of this structural change is to balance workloads and promote a substantial improvement in the quality of life of the workforce, adapting national regulations to international standards that promote greater rest time and professional well-being.

A central aspect of the approval is the comprehensive protection of acquired rights, expressly guaranteeing that the reduction of working hours will not, under any circumstances, imply cuts in current salaries. The authorities have emphasized that the time adjustment must be implemented without affecting the economic stability of workers, ensuring that monthly income remains intact during the process of transition to the new labor regime.

After receiving the support of a large majority in the Chamber of Deputies, the legislative proposal is now moving to its next parliamentary phase for consideration by the Senate.

If it is finally approved in the upper house, the measure will represent a significant transformation in the Brazilian labor market, marking a milestone in the protection of employee rights in the face of the demands of the modern economy.

Mazo News Team