Deputy Luiz Gastão (PSD-CE) told the reporter that, for him, the text will be voted on tomorrow in the Chamber’s Work Committee
Representative Luiz Gastão (PSD-CE) presented his opinion this Tuesday (2), by the Special Subcommittee that debates the 6×1 Scale in the Chamber of Deputies. The rapporteur defends the reduction of the weekly working day in Brazil, currently from 44 hours, to 40 hours, with gradual implementation and measures to avoid negative impacts on companies. However, it maintains the schedule of six working days and one rest day, but with new rules, such as a maximum working day of 6 hours on Saturdays and Sundays, with a 100% bonus for overtime.
The conclusions and drafts are contained in the official document delivered to the board. The text highlights that the demand for a reduction in working hours is historic in the country. Attempts such as PEC 231/1995, which proposed a 40-hour working day and an increase in overtime pay, did not advance due to an impasse between unions and the business sector.
The topic has gained strength again with recent mobilizations, such as the VAT (Life Beyond Work) movement, which collected more than 1.5 million signatures in favor of the reduction. In the opinion, Gastão states that the 6×1 model, with six days of work and one day of rest, has negative effects on health, family life and productivity, citing studies from the WHO and the ILO that link long working hours to a greater risk of stroke, heart disease and decreased performance.
Risk of informality and impact on small businesses
The document also points out that any abrupt reduction in working hours can increase labor costs and encourage migration to informality, currently present in around 38% of Brazilian workers. Micro and small companies, responsible for 80% of formal vacancies created in 2025, would be the most vulnerable to a sudden increase in expenses.
Proposed model: step reduction
To avoid adverse economic effects, the parliamentarian defends a progressive model:
- 1st year after publication: working day drops from 44 hours to 42 hours
- 2nd year: reduction to 41 hours
- 3rd year: limit of 40 hours per week
The proposal maintains the 6×1 scale, but imposes limits:
- Maximum working day of 6 hours on Saturdays and Sundays, with 100% bonus for overtime
- Prohibition of work on consecutive Sundays, with a fortnightly shift schedule
Tax compensation for employers
For companies dependent on labor, the report proposes gradually reducing social security rates on the payroll, potentially reaching a discount of up to 50%, depending on the weight of the payroll on revenue. The objective is to distribute the cost of the policy between companies and the State, preserving jobs.
PEC and bill
The report presents two preliminary projects:
- PEC that changes art. 7th of the Constitution to set the maximum working day at 40 hours and create a transition rule in the ADCT.
- Bill that modifies the CLT to apply the gradual reduction and establish tax incentives.
Perspectives
The Subcommittee concludes that the reduction in working hours follows an international trend and promotes health, productivity and balance between personal and professional life. However, he argues that a 36-hour day could only be discussed in the future, based on sectoral negotiations and greater economic stability.
Before presenting his opinion, Gastão organized a series of public hearings in Salvador, Porto Alegre and Brasília, to discuss the possible reduction in the work schedule. The text can be analyzed this Wednesday (3) at the Labor Committee, if there is no request for review (more time for analysis). If approved, it will still need to go through the CCJ (Constitution and Justice Commission) and the plenary of the Chamber of Deputies.
The proposal should be the government’s focus next year. After the approval of the Income Tax exemption for those earning up to R$5,000, the Lula 3 government intends to implement a reduction in working hours.
Minister Gleisi Hoffmann, responsible for political articulation in Congress, even discussed whether a Bill would not be better than a PEC so that it could be processed faster. However, there are less than 20 days left for the Legislature to complete the work this year and the government has other priorities at the moment, such as next year’s Budget, the Security PEC and the Anti-Faction PL, which are already in the voting process.
