work schedule: why the 6x1 is back in the spotlight
proposal to end the 6x1 work schedule gains new momentum in the Senate
The proposal to end the 6x1 work schedule is back in the spotlight after Senate President Davi Alcolumbre indicated that the vote will be postponed until after the elections. The PT maintains its strategy of pressuring Congress without creating new confrontations with Alcolumbre. The topic remains highly relevant, with over 70% of Brazilians in favor.
Why the 6x1 is Back in the Spotlight
On 09/05/2026, Senate President Davi Alcolumbre announced that the Proposed Constitutional Amendment (PEC) to end the 6x1 work schedule will only be voted on in the plenary after the October elections. The decision came after the last round of votes in Congress, when far-right senators temporarily blocked the PEC's approval.
PT's Strategy in Face of Postponement
Despite the postponement, the PT does not intend to increase pressure on Congress. The strategy is to maintain the discourse that the government wants to vote on the proposal as soon as possible, but to avoid turning the postponement into a new confrontation with the Senate President. Since last year, the PT's communication had been exploring the idea that Congress is an enemy of the people. Now, the target has shifted to Bolsonarism, especially Flávio Bolsonaro's PL, which presented the 7x0 PEC and uses obstruction to hinder the proposal's progress.
Alliances and Negotiations Before the Elections
Lula recently reconnected with the Senate President in an attempt to unblock government agendas before the election. The assessment is that, after rebuilding bridges, it would make no sense to pick a new fight over a vote that still depends on an agreement among parliamentarians. Thus, even if the PEC is not voted on before the elections, the government prefers to preserve its relationship with Alcolumbre and maintain the narrative that the resistance lies within Bolsonarism.
Legislative Progress and Popular Support
Despite the far-right's maneuvers, the proposal remains a priority for the Federal Government and the Workers' Party. On 09/04/2026, Lula praised the advances in the legislative debate and listed recent victories, such as the approval of the National Policy for Critical and Strategic Minerals and the end of the so-called “blouse tax.” The provisional measure allowing federal taxes on international online purchases of up to 50 dollars to be zeroed was also sent to parliament in May. According to a DataFolha Institute survey, over 70% of Brazilians support ending the 6x1 work schedule.
Next Steps in the Senate
Senate President Davi Alcolumbre indicated that the PEC will be voted on after the October elections, in response to Senator Paulo Paim. The leader of the Lula Government in the Senate, Teresa Leitão, stated that efforts continue to advance the agenda, with the goal of approving the PEC before the second round of elections, scheduled for October 25. The leader of the Lula Government in Congress, Randolfe Rodrigues, attributed the emptying of the PEC vote to the far-right, highlighting the coordination of Senator Flávio Bolsonaro and the opposition leader, Senator Rogério Marinho. He guarantees that the PEC will be considered by the Senate plenary before November, with the expectation of a vote by the end of October.
With the approval of the PEC by the Constitution, Justice, and Citizenship Committee (CCJ) and the continuation of negotiations, the 6x1 work schedule remains in focus, as the government seeks to balance political pressure and the preservation of alliances before the elections.
With information from O GLOBO, Workers' Party, Federal Senate.
Source: O GLOBO, Partido dos Trabalhadores, Senado Federal