After successive electoral defeats, the Brazilian left seeks to reconnect with its electoral base of workers through the Proposed Amendment to the Constitution (PEC) which foresees the end of the 6×1 scale – that is, one day off every six days of work. The proposal is to adopt a 4×3 working day – four days on and three days off. The author of the PEC is federal deputy Erika Hilton (PSOL-SP).
Just as happened in the United States, the perception on the left in Brazil is that the focus should be on more pragmatic and less identitarian issues so as not to lose part of the more conservative electorate that traditionally voted with the left. The biggest example is the public made up of evangelicals, from whom Lula received votes in the 2002 elections, but ended up moving away from the Workers’ Party (PT) after the party emphasized issues such as the liberation of drugs, the decriminalization of abortion and union between people of the same sex.
This year’s municipal elections also lit a yellow light at Palácio do Planalto and in other progressive parties. In October, the majority of mayors elected were from the center or right-wing, showing a trend in the Brazilian electorate that could intensify in 2026. In this election, the PT elected only 252 mayors.
Added to this was the victory of Republican Donald Trump against the Democratic Party, which also showed that the American right managed to connect with workers, who were previously the main voters of the left itself.
Regarding the PEC of reducing working hours, meetings are scheduled between the government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) and federal deputy Erika Hilton (PSOL-SP), author of the PEC, later this week, to define the Executive’s position on the topic. On the other hand, the Workers’ Party bench in the Chamber of Deputies is already organizing itself so that there is adherence to the Planalto.
For the PEC to begin processing, the signature of at least 171 of the 513 federal deputies or 27 of the 81 senators is required. So far, Erika has stated in the press that she has already collected more than 140 signatures.
For Elton Gomes, professor at the Federal University of Piauí (UFPI), the recent discussion about reducing working hours reveals an attempt by the identitarian left to reposition itself in the public debate.
“This group, more specifically the PSOL, is seeking to move away from divisive identity issues, such as gender and race, which have appeal in proportional elections, but face difficulties in creating a cohesive discourse with greater mobilization potential,” analyzes Gomes. The proposal in question was presented by congresswoman Erika Hilton (PSOL), which, according to him, shows this movement of the identitarian left in search of a broader space in politics.
He also highlights that the reduction in working hours, historically, is not a direct result of union struggles, as is common in the left-wing narrative, but a natural adaptation of economic processes to technological changes. “Reality and economic history teach that the economic actors themselves adapted due to innovations in production processes, and not just due to union pressure”, he states.
On another front to try to rapprochement with the electorate, according to the newspaper The State of S. PauloPresident Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) would also be thinking about handing over a ministry to the evangelical public in the next ministerial reform. Among the names listed, says the newspaper, would be those of senator Eliziane Gama (PSD-MA) and federal deputy Benedita da Silva (PT-RJ).
20th century labor does not adapt to the new job market
For Adriano Cerqueira, professor at Ibmec in Belo Horizonte, laborism is facing a weakening due to changes in the job market, which would explain the Brazilian left’s attempt to revive it. He highlights that, in addition to the increase in informality, there is a growing trend towards autonomous action.
“It’s not even pejotization, but the very possibility of the individual, through the MEI, to carry out their own activities”, he analyzes, pointing out that this scenario moves workers away from the traditional union model.
He cites the attempt to unionize drivers of individual passenger transport apps as an example. The government considered classifying professionals by application in the CLT, but received no support from either companies or the courts, which have been divided on the issue.
Complementary Bill (PLP) 12/2024, which deals with the topic, was processed at the beginning of the year in the Chamber of Deputies and was seen as an attempt by the government to get closer to the category. However, due to lack of agreement, it is stagnant in the Industry, Commerce and Services Commission (CICS).
“Clearly, it was an attempt to restructure the labor market in Brazil to those standards of the old 20th century laborism”, he observes, referring to the movement to include digital platform workers in strict labor standards. “They are even trying to organize marches to November 15th, but I think this will only mobilize a minority”, he highlights.
Part of the right claims that PEC brings negative impacts to the economy and another part supports
Erika Hilton’s (PSOL-SP) proposal has been the target of criticism from right-wing parliamentarians, who cite risks that the proposal could bring to the economy. Federal deputy Nikolas Ferreira (PL-MG) states that the PEC contains an error that he called “bizarre”, as it proposes a working day of up to eight hours a day, four days a week – which is equivalent to a total of 32 hours weekly.
“How are the cases, for example, of supermarkets, restaurants and hospitals that have to operate 24 hours a day? On a scale, for example, 4×3 – work four days and take three days off – basically, either they fire employees or they increase employees. The increase in employees generates expenses for these companies. In other words, the discussion is only about whether unemployment and informality will increase, because it will destroy the livelihood of the poor, I have no doubt”, stated the parliamentarian.
The president of the Parliamentary Entrepreneurship Front, deputy Joaquim Passarinho (PL-PA), said that the proposal is “romantic” and that it is necessary to have a broad discussion to prevent the change from generating unemployment.
“It’s a valid discussion, but it cannot be irresponsible,” said the deputy in an interview with CNN. And he added: “It’s all very romantic, it’s very beautiful, but in practical life, how do I do this with this reduction in working hours without dismissal? If someone proves it to me, I’m in.”
On the other hand, matters of People’s Gazette showed that even some deputies from the PL bench, opposed to the initiative, felt the “pressure of the internet” and expressed support for the reduction of the 6×1 working day.
Federal deputy Fernando Rodolfo (PL-PE) said that it is “time to rethink the work model in Brazil”. Another parliamentarian, senator Cleitinho (PL-MG), said he was in favor of reducing working hours and was praised in his networks.
In crisis, PT is considering moving closer to the center to avoid defeat in 2026
The Workers’ Party (PT) is also considering adopting a more centrist stance as an electoral strategy for 2026. After the results of the municipal elections, the feeling in the party is that the PT discourse needs to be adjusted for the center-right electorate, the which has gained weight in recent years. However, the change is not a consensus and faces resistance from more ideological wings of the party.
Furthermore, part of the crisis that has hit the party is rooted in internal disputes between its members. The main dispute concerns the succession of Gleisi Hoffmann as president of the party, as her term ends in 2025.
The acronym is also looking for a name that has better circulation in the Legislature to dialogue with the Centrão subtitles. Behind the scenes of the party, a wing defends that Gleisi anticipates his departure from the party presidency. Federal deputy Odair Cunha (PT-MG) and the mayor of Araraquara, Edinho Silva, were mentioned as possibilities to succeed her as parliamentarian.
The PT should hold a congress between December 5th and 7th to discuss the rules for Gleisi’s succession.
Workers were decisive in Trump’s victory
In the American election, the workers’ vote for Trump was considered decisive for the Republican’s victory. But how did he achieve this? The president-elect’s campaign focused on states where workers demonstrated clear dissatisfaction with Joe Biden’s administration, such as Michigan, the state where the American automobile industry is concentrated.
Trump also promised financial incentives to key groups: no tax on tipped wages for service workers; no overtime tax for blue-collar workers (industrial workers); no Social Security tax for seniors.
With this set of promises, Trump managed to enter the “Rust Belt”. The name refers to the now abandoned factories in this portion of the United States, which covers parts of the Midwest and northeast of the country, such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin. With the exception of Illinois, Trump won those states.
