Government wants to guarantee two days of rest and up to 40 hours a week without salary reduction
The Minister of the General Secretariat of the Presidency, Guilherme Boulos, stated this Friday (12) that “it is unacceptable to maintain the 6×1 scale”, when defending that the government seeks the fastest way to guarantee at least two days of rest per week for workers. The declaration occurred amidst the movement of the Chamber of Deputies to open the way to discuss, next week, the end of the current journey.
The movement was possible after the president of the Chamber, Hugo Motta (Republicanos-PB), scheduled a session this Friday, allowing the necessary regulatory interval to begin the debate. The expectation is that the president of the Work Committee, deputy Leo Prates (PDT-BA), will take the opinion to discussion on Wednesday (18).
Government wants quick processing and sets three non-negotiable points
According to Boulos, the government is evaluating whether the change can be made through a bill, a more agile alternative than a Proposed Amendment to the Constitution (PEC). He states that there is already internal consensus on three guidelines that need to be in the final text:
- End of the 6×1 scale, with adoption of the 5×2 model;
- Reduction of weekly workload to up to 40 hours;
- Implementation without salary reduction.
“President Lula is sensitive to the workers’ urgency. Let’s focus on the fastest path that guarantees these three fundamental points”, he stated. The government is awaiting a legal analysis to confirm whether all these changes can be included in a PL. If feasible, this route will be prioritized.
Boulos also highlighted the role of deputy Érika Hilton and the Vida Além do Trabalho (VAT) movement, led by Rio de Janeiro councilor Rick Azevedo (PSOL), which gained prominence in 2024 and expanded the scope of the agenda. “The fight to reduce working hours is historic. VAT took this discussion to the general public”, he said.
Other topics covered by Boulos in the meeting with journalists
During breakfast, the minister also discussed legislative matters and the government’s agenda:
- Criticisms of Hugo Motta: classified as a “serious error” the decision of the President of the Chamber to guide the Dosimetry PL in the early hours of the morning; said there were “double standards” in the treatment given to the opposition and to deputy Glauber Braga.
- Permanence in government: he reaffirmed that he intends to fulfill Lula’s entire term as minister and mentioned that his wife will be a candidate for federal deputy.
- Mail: took a stand against the privatization of the state-owned company.
- Popular budget: stated that Congress “usurps” the budget and that the government will officially launch the popular budget model in January.
- Delivery drivers and app drivers: working group begins on Tuesday (16), with 60 days of activities and the participation of rapporteur Augusto Coutinho (Republicanos-PE).
- Agenda on the streets: the program Government of Brazil on the Street starts this Saturday in Sol Nascente (DF) and will visit 30 cities until June 2026, bringing federal services such as Carreta Reforma Casa Brasil, Carreta Lilás and MEC actions.
With ongoing political articulation and support from Planalto, the government is betting on an accelerated process to change the working day — and, according to Boulos, guarantee “dignified minimum rest and fairer conditions” for workers.
