Ministers and deputies cite incorrect or controversial data in defense of the project that establishes two days off and a 40-hour day
Congressmen and ministers of the president’s government (PT) gave incorrect or controversial data in defense of the (Proposed Amendment to the Constitution) that eliminates the 6 x 1 work schedule in speeches on Monday (May 25, 2026).
The PEC was published on Wednesday (May 27) and sent to the Senate. The text approved by the Chamber establishes two weekly days off instead of one, as is currently the case. It also determines that the weekly working day will be 40 hours instead of the current 44.
The speeches on Monday in the Chamber’s Green Room preceded an interview on the topic. Participating were the president of the Chamber, (Republicanos-PB); the deputy (PT-SP), president of the PEC special committee; the deputy (Republicanos-BA), committee rapporteur; the Minister (Institutional Relations); and the Minister (Labour).
REFERENCE TO SUPPORT
Motta referred to the proposal as “a country agenda” e “an agenda that belongs to Brazilian society“But a demonstration in Brasília on Sunday (May 25) in defense of the PEC was attended by only 200 people.
The president of the Chamber also stated that the change “It is a demand that meets the preferences of more than 70% of our population”.
Datafolha research from March 3 to 5, 2026 showed that 71% of respondents were in favor of ending the 6
Guimarães stated that “no one left unheard” in the special commission that analyzed the proposal. Santana said something similar about the “countless hearings that we hold here, listening to all sectors without exception”.
But the commission has twice as many trade unionists as businesspeople. 71 trade unionists and 36 businesspeople participated in the sessions.
MINISTER OF LABOR
Marinho said that the proposal “will increase our productivity“But there is no indication that reducing working hours will result in this.
Economists believe that it is necessary to increase investments to increase productivity. The change in working hours, however, costs companies, which will have less money to invest.
The minister stated that “Many countries are making the move to reduce working hours without reducing salaries, so Brazil is in tune with the world”.
The changes in reality have been the opposite: the reduction in working hours is a consequence of productivity gains. Data from the (International Labor Organization) shows that Brazil is the 94th most productive country in the world and in which 97 countries work more than in Brazil.
The minister stated that the change in the journey will result in “benefit for the entire Brazilian economyThis goes against experts’ assessment of the costs for companies of change.
Marinho also said that “there will be no sector of the economy that will be harmed by the new journeyIn addition to widespread cost increases, however, there will be specific difficulties for some sectors.
Airlines offer journeys of up to 14 hours for international flights. The viability of these flights will depend on agreements between companies and unions if the PEC text approved by the Chamber is endorsed by the Senate.
