The approval of the end of the 6x1 scale, with the reduction of working hours from 44 to 40 hours per week, had repercussions in the international press, which highlighted that the vote was a victory for President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on the eve of the 2nd round of elections in Brazil.
The Spanish newspaper El País wrote in the headline that “tens of millions of workers win a second day off in Brazil, a political victory for Lula”.
In Argentina, the newspaper Clarín classified the approval as “Lula's political move: Brazil approves reduction in working hours, less than two weeks before the second round of elections”.
The Argentine newspaper La Nacion also said that the vote is “Lula's big bet before the second round”, adding that “the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro changed his position and announced his vote in favor 48 hours before the session”.
The English newspaper Financial Times, specializing in economics and finance, highlighted that Brazilian legislators “voted to abolish a six-day work week in Latin America's largest economy”.
The newspaper says that the vote was a “victory for Lula” close to the second electoral round, adding further criticism from business groups who complain about increased costs.
“Ending the six-day work week will bring Brazil in line with many higher-income nations, where working hours have shrunk as productivity and efficiency have improved,” the Financial Times wrote.
Also British, The Guardian points to Lula's victory with approval and calculates that the change could affect up to 30 million people in Brazil.
“The proposal began as a TikTok movement called Life Beyond Work, founded by a pharmacy assistant who entered politics after his success and was later embraced by Lula,” wrote The Guardian.
Change of position
The foreign press also recalled that candidate Flávio Bolsonaro (PL), who is running in the 2nd round against Lula, was against the proposed amendment to the constitution (PEC) that ends the 6x1, but ended up changing his position a few days before the vote.
“Even after changing his position, Bolsonaro said on Tuesday that he ‘supports something even better,’ referring to an alternative proposal he had long advocated in which payment would be based on hours actually worked,” added The Guardian.
The United States (USA) news agency Associated Press (AP) pointed out that the only vote against was “from former vice-president Hamilton Mourão, who served during the government of President Jair Bolsonaro”.
The AP explained that the allies of senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL), Lula's opponent in the elections, “failed to block the popular measure so that he would not be harmed in his fierce dispute against Lula”.
Approval in the Senate
The Senate plenary concluded the approval of the PEC at the end of the 6x1 on Wednesday night (14), with 75 votes in favor and only one against.
The opposition, which was against the approval of the matter, changed sides after the president of the Senate, Davi Alcolumbre (União-AP), discussed the issue in the plenary.
In an interview with TV Jovem Pan, the leader of the PL in the Chamber, deputy Sóstenes Cavalcante (RJ), stated that, if elected, Flávio Bolsonaro must approve PEC 12/2026, which provides for a “per hour worked” contract.
Understand the PEC
The text of the PEC that ends the 6x1 provides for mandatory paid rest of two days a week, with a maximum working day of 5x2, without salary reduction, and also reduces the current working day from 44 to 40 hours per week, with a total transition rule of 14 months.
According to the text, 60 days after the promulgation of the constitutional amendment, companies must adopt the 5x2 scale and reduce the maximum working hours to up to 42 hours per week. After another 12 months, the working hours will be reduced to 40 hours per week.
