# Lula Postpones 6x1 Work Schedule Regulation Until After Asia Trip

Presidential travel delays the official decree defining new weekly labor hour requirements.

- **Source:** [Poder360](https://www.poder360.com.br)
- **Published:** 2026-11-09
- **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics)
- **Original article:** <https://www.poder360.com.br/poder-governo/lula-adia-decreto-da-escala-6-x-1-para-depois-de-viagem-a-asia/>
- **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/752e3d14-f93c-40a4-abbc-fb7f0a678f0f

## Regulatory Decree Delayed

The Brazilian federal government has officially postponed the publication of a decree regulating the end of the 6x1 work schedule. Originally scheduled for November 9, 2026, the text now awaits President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s return from his international trip. The regulation remains under final review by the presidential office.

## Presidential International Schedule

President Lula departed for Turkey on November 9 to attend the COP31 climate summit. Following his engagements in Antalya, he will travel to the Philippines for the ASEAN summit. He is expected to return to Brazil on November 16, at which point the final assessment of the labor decree will resume.

## Constitutional Amendment Context

The constitutional amendment ending the 6x1 schedule was promulgated by Congress on October 16. This legislative change mandates a gradual reduction of the maximum weekly working hours from 44 to 40 hours. Crucially, this reduction must be implemented without any corresponding decrease in employee salaries, impacting millions of workers across the nation.

## Implementation Timeline Details

The first phase of the transition is set for December 16, when the legal limit drops from 44 to 42 hours per week. The new framework also guarantees two days of rest and at least eight days off every 30 days. These changes aim to standardize rest periods for the Brazilian workforce.

## Collective Bargaining Mechanisms

Companies and workers are encouraged to negotiate the distribution of rest days through collective agreements. If no agreement is reached, the 5x2 schedule will prevail by default. This flexibility allows for arrangements like working six days one week and three the next, provided the eight-day monthly rest requirement is strictly maintained.

## Adapting Specialized Regimes

Minister of Labor Luiz Marinho highlighted the necessity of adjusting specialized regimes, such as the 12x36 model, where employees work 12 hours followed by 36 hours of rest. Negotiations must define how to compensate for hours exceeding the new weekly limit, ensuring that these specific sectors remain compliant with the updated labor laws.

## Continuous Activity Challenges

The upcoming regulation must also address sectors with continuous operations, including healthcare, public transport, and security services. These industries face unique challenges in adapting their complex shift patterns to the new 40-hour weekly parameters. The government intends to provide clear guidelines to ensure these essential services continue functioning without disruption.

## Diplomatic Agenda Priorities

While abroad, the Brazilian delegation will focus on climate financing, energy transition, and forest preservation. Lula aims to secure new contributions for the Tropical Forests Forever Fund. These diplomatic efforts align with the broader goals of strengthening multilateralism and accelerating the implementation of the Paris Agreement during his international tenure.

## Sources covering this story

- https://www.poder360.com.br/poder-governo/lula-adia-decreto-da-escala-6-x-1-para-depois-de-viagem-a-asia/ — 

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_Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._
