The Senate approved, on Wednesday (14), the Constitutional Amendment Proposal (PEC) that ends the 6×1 shift and reduces the maximum weekly working hours from 44 to 40, without salary cuts. Thus, the PEC now goes to promulgation in a joint session of Congress.
The change in labor laws is not limited to Brazil. Only in 2026 did three other Latin American countries discuss working hours or formalize new schedules.
In Mexico, an amendment to the Constitution approved a reduction from 48 to 40 weekly hours, which will take effect on January 1, 2027. Although the new working hours resemble Brazil’s discussion, there was no abolition of the 6×1 schedule in this case. It remains permissible to have six consecutive days of work, as long as the hourly distribution respects the new limit imposed.
Chile also approved a reduction from 48 to 40 weekly hours, with a transition that began in 2024 and will be completed in April 2028. At the end of the transition, the working week may be distributed over at least 4 days of service and at most 6. The daily limit cannot exceed 10 hours.
The flexibility will allow companies to opt for a 4×3 or 6×1 shift, provided they respect the daily and weekly maximum hours.
In 2021, Colombia reduced the work week from 48 to 42 hours, with a transition period that ended in June 2026. The maximum allowed schedule remains 6×1.
Europe
Similar to Brazil, Italy limits the weekly working time to 40 hours per week. There is also a overtime limit, which is calculated based on the average over 4 months. During the period, the average workload, including overtime, cannot exceed 48 hours.
In Belgium, the maximum weekly hours are 38, with flexibility in the distribution of hours, allowing workers to concentrate the workweek into four days, with nine and a half hours of work. The limit of flexibility is to respect other legal conditions imposed by labor laws.
In the United States, there is no maximum limit on hours worked, but there is a legal requirement for overtime pay and a differentiated rate for hours worked beyond 40 hours per week.
The North American model has been used as an example by conservative lawmakers to change the work schedule in Brazil without necessarily imposing an end to 6×1 or reducing total working hours. According to them, total flexibility would allow workers to choose how much time off or how much to work without the cost being passed on to companies.
In Greece, there was a limited flexibilization of working hours: there was no reduction of the 40-hour weekly schedule, only an expansion of how the hours can be divided. One of the points that sparked protests in the country was the allowance for workers to have 13-hour workdays for up to three days per month.
In Germany, the law limits the workday to no more than 8 hours, but flexibility allows daily hours of up to ten if the average returns to eight hours per working day within a 24-week period.
In practice, the schedule is flexible, provided the average limit is respected. In addition, the legislation also provides at least 11 consecutive hours of rest between two shifts.
East
In China, the daily hours must not exceed 8, and the weekly average must not exceed 44 hours. However, the country allows up to 36 overtime hours per month, with provisions to divide this volume over the month, reaching the limit of 3 overtime hours in specific situations, which creates workdays of up to 11 hours.
Chinese legislation protects workers with the right to at least one day off per week.
In Japan, the weekly hours must not exceed 40 hours, with an average daily of 8 hours. The legislation also establishes at least one day of rest per week or four days every four weeks. Overtime hours are, in general, negotiated through sector agreements, with the overall limit of 360 hours per year.
Eurasia
In Russia, the schedule is also 40 hours per week, with distribution allowed even in the 6×1 scale. However, the law sets differentiated schedules for minors and workers with health issues or in specific sectors.
In Turkey, the standard limit is 45 hours per week, with daily shifts of up to 11 hours. The 6×1 schedule is also used in most roles. However, overtime is limited by the rule of a minimum 9 hours of rest between two shifts.
James Whitmore