The Lula government hit the hammer and decided to send a bill with constitutional urgency on the end of the 6×1 scale and reduction of working hours to 40 hours per week, according to Planalto sources. According to government officials, the project should be sent in the next few days.
Two factors contributed to the decision-making, say assistants to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT). The first of them is the perception, within the government, that the matter is being processed slowly in the Chamber.
Currently, the main discussion about the end of the 6×1 scale takes place within the scope of a proposed amendment to the Constitution by congresswoman Erika Hilton (PSOL-SP).
In February, the president of the Chamber, Hugo Motta (Republicanos-PB), decided to forward the measure to the Constitution and Justice Commission (CCJ), in an attempt to give Congress a leading role.
From the beginning, however, the longer processing of a PEC provoked criticism from government officials. In addition to the CCJ, the proposal still needs to go through a special commission. Therefore, there was a fear that this schedule would postpone the issue until after the elections, which would hinder the government’s plans to use the measure as an electoral flag.
The bill with constitutional urgency would oblige deputies to consider the proposal within 45 days, at the risk of blocking the House’s agenda. The Senate would have the same deadline.
Continues after advertising
Another factor that weighed in was that the bill opens up the possibility of a presidential veto, something that does not occur with the PEC, which is enacted by Congress. With this, Planalto would have the final say on the text.
Although the decision has been taken, Lula’s assistants argue that the government should look for Motta before formally forwarding the bill. The objective is to minimize the potential discomfort that will be created by sending the proposal.
Motta has already publicly declared that he wants to vote on the PEC in May. According to the schedule designed by the rapporteur of the proposal at the CCJ, deputy Paulo Azi (União-BA), the last public hearing on the topic will take place this Tuesday, 7th, with the participation of representatives of sectoral confederations.
Next, Azi would prepare his report, which would still have a request for review before being voted on. If approved, the text would go to the special committee, which analyzes the merits.
The bill with constitutional urgency, if sent next week, could be voted on by mid-May in the Chamber and before the parliamentary recess in the Senate. This would give the government time to use it as a banner in its campaign, and would also serve parliamentarians interested in riding on the popularity of the topic.
In addition to the PEC, the Chamber also debates the topic in a bill by deputy Daiana Santos (PC do B-RS), which is being processed by the Work Committee. The proposal, however, also faces resistance.
Continues after advertising
