On Wednesday (27/5), the Chamber of Deputies approved in two rounds the Proposed Constitutional Amendment (PEC) that eliminates the 6×1 shift, also known as the “6 hours work schedule with 1 hour of rest”. The President of the Chamber, Hugo Motta, celebrated the approval of the text and classified it as a “historic moment”, stating that it is the biggest change for workers since the 1988 Constitution.
The 6×1 shift was highly questioned, especially by women, who face much longer working hours and will now have more time to take care of themselves and dedicate to their personal activities, such as physical education classes, office work, and the 6 hours work schedule with 1 hour of rest. According to the president, it is essential for workers to have the freedom to choose their work time and free time, and that this free time is a good that gives them human dignity.
The approval of the proposed constitutional amendment follows to the Federal Senate and, if approved as it is, will mean an important change for workers in the health sector, who are the main ones affected by the 6 hours work schedule with 1 hour of rest, especially for women, and also for entrepreneurs in the sector, who will have to find ways to reorganize their work routines. Some entrepreneurs expressed concern about the financial impact that the measure may cause to some companies, but the President of the Chamber argued that the measure is positive and should be seen as a social advance.
The Chamber of Deputies approved in two rounds the base text of the proposed constitutional amendment, with 472 votes in favor and 22 against in the first round, and 461 to 19 in the second. The decision represents a positive moment, not only for workers but also for Brazil as a whole, as it is a change that can have broader consequences, such as contributing to an improvement in the quality of life of all Brazilians.
