The proposed elimination of the 6x1 workweek and reduction of weekly hours may significantly impact Brazil's commerce sector, as reported by the National Confederation of Trade.
A recent technical report from the National Confederation of Commerce (CNC) addresses the potential economic impact of abolishing the 6x1 work schedule and reducing the average weekly work hours to 36. This change could inflate payroll costs by 21%, resulting in an additional R$ 122.4 billion per month expense for businesses. The report highlights the importance of this issue as it pertains to ongoing proposals being debated in the Brazilian National Congress.
The CNC points to two specific proposals that have spurred this analysis: PEC 8/2025, proposed by Deputy Erika Hilton (PSOL-SP), which suggests a 36-hour workweek distributed over four days without a salary reduction; and PEC 221/2019, introduced by Deputy Reginaldo Lopes (PT-MG), which also seeks to implement a 36-hour weekly limit with gradual implementation. The proposals arrive at a time when there is a growing concern about labor demands and costs, requiring careful consideration from both lawmakers and business leaders.
This shift has broader implications not only for job structures and employer costs but also for pricing strategies and overall market dynamics in Brazil. As these proposals progress through Congress, the CNC warns of the potential ripple effects on employment rates and price inflation in the commercial sector, necessitating a thorough debate on the balance between labor rights and economic sustainability in the country.
