Brazil’s Senate approved constitutional amendment PEC 221/2019 in two rounds on Wednesday, each by 75 votes to 1, with former vice president Hamilton Mourao the only senator against, ending the 6x1 schedule of six working days for one day of rest and cutting the constitutional maximum week from 44 hours to 40, with no reduction in pay. The transition is phased: two months after promulgation the limit falls to 42 hours with two paid rest days, and 12 months later it reaches 40 hours, one rest day preferably on a Sunday. The vote, on a text the Chamber of Deputies passed in May, hands President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva a popular labour win 11 days before the October 25 runoff against Flavio Bolsonaro, who switched this week to vote in favour after long opposing the change.
Brazil Senate votes 75 to 1 to end six day workweek
Brazil's Senate approved a constitutional amendment on Wednesday in two rounds of 75 to 1 voting, cutting the maximum workweek from 44 to 40 hours and ending the six days on, one day off schedule known as the 6x1, without any cut in pay.
Why it matters: It is the biggest change to Brazilian working time since 1988 and a political win for President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva 11 days before the October 25 presidential runoff, with the cost falling on employers once the phased reduction takes effect.
Data as of Wednesday, October 14, 2026, evening Toronto time. The Prensa Latina report, in Spanish, was opened and read in full; the Associated Press report was opened and read, and BBC News Brasil carried the same approval in Portuguese in the feed scan. Developing item, 2 to 3 sentences by design.
Sources
- En jornada historica, Senado de Brasil aprueba fin de escala 6x1 · Prensa Latina, in Spanish · 2026-10-14
- Brazil's Senate approves a shorter workweek in major win for Lula ahead of runoff · Associated Press, via Ottumwa Courier · 2026-10-14
- Brasil aprova maior mudanca da jornada de trabalho desde 1988 · BBC News Brasil, in Portuguese · 2026-10-14