Ending the six-day work week has been one of Brazil's hottest topics on the internet since last week. The issue has appeared in the trending topics on the old Twitter several times over this period.
A Proposed Constitutional Amendment (PEC, in Portuguese) is in the process of collecting signatures in the Federal Chamber. Federal Deputy Erika Hilton presented the text, which was drawn up by the Life Beyond Work (VAT, in Portuguese) movement.
Before it was filed, the Amendment had already shown strong popularity and social appeal. With the support of influencers, the social media movement has pressured parliamentarians. The text needs 171 signatures to start being processed in the House of Representatives, but so far, it has been endorsed by just over 70 deputies. The greatest resistance comes from the conservative and the far-right parties.
The far-right party of former president Jair Bolsonaro is among those refusing to debate the issue and put it on the agenda. Only one deputy from the party, Fernando Rodolfo, has signed the proposal.
According to behind-the-scenes information circulating in the press since last week, party members have tried to prevent the issue from being put on the agenda and have acted to block a public hearing on the subject.
By Friday (08), the Amendment had received support from the entire left, including the Socialism and Liberty Party and around half of the Workers' Party from President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Parliamentarians from centrist parties have also endorsed the issue.
Popular Petition
Since last year, the Life Beyond Work movement has created an online petition to gather public support for the proposal. As of Sunday (10), it had amassed over 1.3 million signatures.
"It is common knowledge that working hours in Brazil often exceed reasonable limits, with the six-day work schedule being a major cause of physical and mental exhaustion for workers. This abusive workload negatively impacts employees' quality of life, compromising their health, well-being, and family relationships," states the petition.
The document calls for the reduction of working hours, implement alternatives for more balanced schedules, and hold a public debate on the issue involving workers, employers, and labor rights specialists.
"We can't ignore that in an increasingly connected world with technological advances, we must re-evaluate work practices that affect health and work-life balance. Healthy and satisfied workers are more productive and contribute to the country's sustainable development," the manifesto points out.
