The debate on the Proposed Amendment to the Constitution (PEC) that limits the weekly working hours to 36 hours and became known as PEC 6×1 – 6 days of work for 1 day off – has not yet been discussed by the government core. The statement was made by the Minister of the General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic, Márcio Macedo, this Wednesday (13).
“This debate is in the National Congress, it has not yet been discussed within the government. The minister [Luiz] Marine [do Trabalho e Emprego – MTE] It has already been expressed in its environment, but it has not been discussed yet. Let’s wait for the position that Congress will forward so that we can discuss it at the core of the government”, said the minister.
The statement was made during an event by C20, a G20 engagement group (Forum that covers countries with the world’s main economies) that represents civil society organizations, in Rio de Janeiro.
Asked whether the government can take over the PEC while still in Congress, Macêdo reinforced: “This topic is not yet under discussion at the center of the government”.
Marine Minister
Minister Luiz Marinho’s position to which Macêdo referred was published on social media.
Marinho argued that the 6×1 working day should be addressed in collective work conventions and agreements, when employers and workers negotiate the rules of the contract between the parties.
“The ministry considers, however, that reducing working hours to 40 hours a week is fully possible and healthy, when it results from a collective decision. The MTE has been closely following the debate and understands that this is a topic that requires the involvement of all sectors in an in-depth and detailed discussion, considering the specific needs of each area”, said Marinho on a social network.
The defense of the end of the 6×1 work schedule, that is, just one day off per week, has gained notoriety in recent days, driven by the Life Beyond Work (VAT) movement. The topic became one of the most discussed on social media, in the press and in Congress.
The proposal establishes working hours of a maximum of 36 hours per week and four working days per week in Brazil.
Social pressure
171 signatures were needed for the PEC to begin processing in the Chamber of Deputies. Over the course of a few days, the number of deputies who endorsed the proposal rose from 60 to around 200. To be approved, it needs the vote of 308 of the 513 parliamentarians, in two rounds of voting.
Authored by deputy Erika Hilton (Psol-SP), the proposal was presented on May 1st of this year inspired by the VAT movement which, through a petition onlinecollected more than 2.7 million signatures in favor of ending the 6 to 1 scale.
Reducing weekly working hours without reducing wages is a historic demand from trade unions, such as the Central Única dos Trabalhadores (CUT).
However, it receives opposition from economic actors, such as employers, who foresee a drop in productivity and an increase in costs, which would be passed on to prices.
