Deputy Paulo Azi states that reducing working hours depends on an agreement between workers, companies and government
The federal deputy (União Brasil-BA) said there were no legal impediments to the processing of the PEC (Proposed Amendment to the Constitution) on the end of the 6 X 1 scale in the National Congress, but cited the need for caution and negotiation. “There will only be progress if there is collective construction”said Azi this Friday (20th March 2026) at an event held at Insper, in São Paulo.
The rapporteur advocated that changes be gradual and with compensation for companies, such as payroll relief or tax incentives: “The step cannot be bigger than the leg. The transition is essential to not compromise the economy and guarantee real gains for the worker”.
Azi also stated that there is a risk of political contamination: “It’s a popular agenda, and there is a risk of easy speeches, which will not always be the best for the country. We need responsibility in the construction of the law.”
The federal government defends an intermediate proposal: reducing working hours to 40 hours per week and maintaining the 5 x 2 scale.
The proposal still needs to go through other stages in Congress, including analysis of its merits in a special committee and a vote in the plenary. For Azi, the main challenge will be balancing gains for workers and economic sustainability. “Advancement needs to be consistent and safe, so that workers really win without harming the economy”these.
Impacts of the PEC
Economist Sergio Firpo, professor at Insper, highlighted that the agenda arose from social movements and not from traditional unions, responding to a legitimate demand for quality of life among young, low-income workers.
“This demand is valid, but we need to look at reality: 50% of workers are informal. A uniform law will modernize only a small group, and there is no guarantee of increased productivity”, he stated.
Firpo stated that reducing working hours can put pressure on small businesses, increase costs and cause turnover. “If you reduce hours without increasing productivity per hour, the result will be a drop in production. Without transition policies, what should benefit workers can backfire.”
The economist said that countries such as France and Belgium adopted compensation for the most affected sectors, while in Portugal, the absence of these measures resulted in negative economic impacts. According to him, labor productivity in Brazil remains stagnant due to structural factors, such as quality of education, low international competition and high costs. “The question that remains is: how do we reach a modern model without harming workers or companies?”said Firpo.
This report was produced by intern Gabriella Santos under the supervision of Brunno Kono.
