Brazil's Senate passed a constitutional amendment on October 14, 2026, ending the six-day, one-rest-day work model, known as the 6x1 system. The Senate approved the text with 75 votes in favor and one against. The National Congress proclaimed it as Constitutional Amendment 141 on October 16, 2026. The amendment guarantees two paid rest days per week and reduces the maximum weekly work hours from 44 to 40, without wage cuts. Collective bargaining can average the two rest days across a month, provided at least one falls within each week.
From draft to law
The Chamber of Deputies had already approved the underlying bill, PEC 221/19, in May in two votes, with 461 votes in favor and 19 against in the final round, and 472 to 22 in the first round. The bill was authored by Deputy Reginaldo Lopes, with Senator Omar Aziz as rapporteur. After passing through constitutional and legal committees, it reached the floor in the week before voting after Senate President Davi Alcolumbre agreed to schedule it. Senators enabled both votes on the same evening through symbolic adoption of a special schedule. The only dissenting vote came from Senator Hamilton Mourão, who made no statement during the session.
What changes for workers
Under the new rules taking effect two months after publication, the maximum weekly hours drop to 42, falling to 40 hours one year later. The two paid rest days also take effect after the two-month period. The reform applies to existing contracts and is implemented without wage cuts, including at minimum wage levels. For workers under certain existing public contracts, the work hour reduction takes effect upon contract adjustment, no later than one year after publication. High-wage earners with university degrees earning at least 2.5 times the pension contribution ceiling are exempt, except for public sector employees. According to the Labor Ministry, 14.7 million of 44.5 million workers formally registered under labor law worked on the 6x1 schedule in December 2025, meaning 33.2 percent must adjust to the new rules. The ministry said sectors with special work rhythms must adjust working hours with their respective unions.
Support from government and unions
President Lula called the change a victory for workers and said it means more time to live, rest, be with family, and watch children grow. His rival in the runoff election, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, had previously opposed the reform but announced he would vote for it on the day before voting. His party left voting free. The CUT labor federation called the end of the system it described as exhausting a major workers' victory. Força Sindical president Miguel Torres said the measure benefits millions who now have more time for health, family, education, and leisure. Studies and international experience tend to show rising productivity, Torres said.
Industry opposition
The CNI industrial federation estimated after the Senate vote that the reform could raise production costs by 267.2 billion reais and increase consumer prices by an average of 6.2 percent. Gross domestic product could fall by 0.7 percent, or 76.9 billion reais. According to CNI estimates, industrial products would rise about 6 percent on average, clothing and shoes by up to 6.6 percent, and supermarket shopping by 5.7 percent. CNI President Ricardo Alban criticized approval without deeper debate on economic consequences and called for Congress to revisit the topic after assessing inflation and competitiveness. Trade associations Fiemg, Abrasel, CBIC, and Abrainc also warned of risks to formal employment, added staffing needs in bars and restaurants, construction delays, and rising property prices. The CNC trade federation expressed regret at discussing the structural reform during the election period and called for deeper technical study.
This is not Brazil's first work hour reduction. The 1988 constitution reduced the week from 48 to 44 hours. This reform adds another rest day and further reduces the maximum from 44 to 40 hours. Of the 44.5 million formally registered workers, 29.7 million already worked on a 5x2 schedule as of December 2025, while 14.7 million are directly affected by the reform. A Dieese analysis of the PNAD survey for 2025 estimates the beneficiaries more broadly: 26.8 million workers, of which 22 million are formally employed, representing 54 percent of workers with formal registration, plus about 4.8 million informal workers with more than 40 hours per week.
Unfinished business before full effect
A supplementary law can set transition measures for self-employed, micro, and small businesses if employment levels are maintained, according to the constitutional text. Opposition Senator Rogerio Marinho had introduced PEC 12/2026 proposing an hourly wage model. PL faction leader Sóstenes Cavalcante said a newly elected President Flávio Bolsonaro should enact that draft.