End of scale 6×1: What changes for Brazilian workers?

O Brazilian National Congress today promulgated, ten days after the second round of elections, the amendment to the Constitution that reduces the weekly working day without reduction of wages, at a ceremony with the presence of the President of Brazil, Lula da Silva, who has already celebrated 

“ I think everyone who knows the world of work knows that today is a historic day for Brazilian workers”, said the Brazilian president after the Proposal for Amendment to the Constitution (PEC) was enacted. “ Today is a day that shows that democracy is worth it. Because what we are doing today is obeying the will of a people who went out into the street, who charged us, who demanded of us. Women, men, workers, students went out as they had never gone out on the street demanding it here.”

According to Lula da Silva, the Brazilian Constitution is now “more citizen” and establishes “more dignity for the Brazilian worker”.

Today shows that democracy is worth it. The end of the 6 x 1 scale is a civilizational achievement. What we did today was obey. Obeying the will of a people who went to the streets and charged us: women, men, workers, adolescents and students demanded this measure. You wrote an important page in our Constitution. She's more of a citizen now. The two weekly breaks mean more dignity. Congratulations, everyone.

— Lula (@LulaOfficial) October 16, 2026

Popularly called “End of Scale 6×1”, the Proposal for Amendment to the Constitution (PEC) was approved by the overwhelming majority of the Brazilian Senate on Wednesday, and counted on votes by Flávio Bolsonaro and his Liberal Party (PL), initially contrary to the measure.

With the second lap at the door, Flávio Bolsonaro changes position

Faced with popular demonstrations in favour of the end of the scale 6×1, Flávio Bolsonaro ended up declaring, on the eve of the vote, that he would position himself “according to the will of the majority of the people”. He then ended up voting, on Wednesday, in a virtual way, in favor of the measure, but without participating in the session, since he was following the campaign agenda in Porto Alegre.

Despite this, the party of candidate Flávio Bolsonaro, the PL, intends to review the working day after the elections.

In fact, after celebrating the end of the scale 6×1 during a campaign action in Juiz de Fora, on the afternoon of Friday, Lula da Silva warned for this very same. The PT warned that if Bolsonaro is elected, the “bolsonarists will end” with the measure and 6×1 can return.

“ We arrived late because we were promulgating the PEC that ended the 6×1 scale, which guarantees two days of rest for five working days. It is very important that we do not allow any kind of setback. Our merchants and businessmen will have no harm. Who will win is the worker ", said, before warning: “The pocket players will end this measure and 6×1 will return. We have to make it clear that we cannot trust them.”

What changes for Brazilian workers?

The new model enacted this Friday guarantees workers two days of paid rest per week and, in practice, reduces the working day of today 44 hours a week to 40 hours.

Although this journey is not unanimous throughout the country, the 6×1 scale is very common for people working in the service sector, such as supermarkets, pharmacies, bars, restaurants, hotels, shops, and industry sectors.

The end of scale 6×1, i.e. the entry into force of five working days and two rest days, was harshly criticized by large employers and trade unions in the areas of industry, trade and services.

In general, they classified the measure as negative for the economy, saying that it will result in layoffs and the precariousness of essential services.

And when does it change?

The new rules have no immediate effect. From the publication in the Official Gazette of the Union (DOU), there will be a gradual transition period.

In 60 days, the journey goes from 44 hours to 42 hours a week. After one year of the new measure, finally, the journey drops to 40 hours work week.

The enactment of the constitutional amendment took place at a ceremony in the National Congress with the presence of the presidents of the Republic, the House of Deputies (Hugo Motta) and the Senate (Davi Alcolumbre).

In his speech, Lula da Silva, who is a candidate for re-election in the second round of Presidential appointments for the 25th, erected a copy of the Brazilian Constitution and countered criticisms of the approval of the measure.

The left-wing leader stated that “no one wants the company to break, but no one wants a worker to die for lack of rest.”.

“It is to combine the maintenance and existence of the company, with the maintenance and health of women and men who work. And in a while you will realize that this problem is over”, completed.

The approval of the constitutional amendment is one of Lula's main weapons to reverse the result of the first round, which put him behind Flávio Bolsonaro, Senator and son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, with a difference of 2.2 million votes, and try to win the elections.

And what changes for companies?

Employers will have a two-month transition period to adjust working hours and scales and negotiate collective agreements and conventions. It will be necessary to give employees two weekly breaks, even in cases of positions of trust.

The PEC maintains differentiated working arrangements, ensures the functioning of categories authorized to work on Sundays and authorizes other types of scale and working hours, such as the scale 12×36 (12 hours of work with 36 hours of rest, common in the areas of safety and health), for example.

Companies now have to start the negotiation period to adjust collective contracts and agreements.