The Chamber of Deputies approved the change to the weekly work schedule; the proposal awaits the start of its legislative process in the Senate.

The Chamber of Deputies approved the change to the weekly work schedule; the proposal awaits the start of its legislative process in the Senate.

On May 27, 2026, the Chamber of Deputies approved in two rounds PEC 221/2019. The text, a substitute proposed by Deputy Leo Prates (Republicanos-BA), provides for a progressive reduction in the maximum working hours, without a reduction in salary.   In the first 60 days after the enactment, the work week will change from 44 to 42 hours, with the adoption of a 5x2 schedule. After another 12 months, the limit will drop to 40 hours per week, totaling a 14-month transition period. This 60-day period, however, has not yet begun: it only starts after the enactment of the constitutional amendment, a step that depends on the Senate.

The proposed constitutional amendment arrived in the Senate on May 28, 2026, and has since been awaiting a decision from President Davi Alcolumbre (União-AP) to proceed to the Constitution and Justice Committee. Without this decision, the proposal will not receive a rapporteur nor be put on the agenda. Alcolumbre has already indicated that he intends to make changes to the text, which would return the amendment to the Chamber of Deputies before any promulgation, lengthening the process.

To move forward, the proposal still needs to pass through the CCJ (Committee on Constitution, Justice and Citizenship), receive a report from a rapporteur, and be approved in two rounds in the Senate plenary, with at least 49 of the 81 votes in each round. If approved without changes, the amendment is promulgated in a joint session of the National Congress. If there are changes, the text returns to the Chamber of Deputies for a new vote.

Until the proposed constitutional amendment is enacted, the maximum 44-hour work week and the 6x1 work schedule remain valid, without any legal obligation to adapt at this time. The legislative process is the appropriate time to assess the impacts on employment contracts, schedules, and operational costs.

By Victoria La Maison