End of the 6×1 scale mobilizes debate on networks; defenders criticize omissions on the left

It has generated widespread debate on social media, Proposed Amendment to the Constitution (PEC) not yet registered in the Chamber of Deputies, which provides for a review of the Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT) to abolish the 6×1 work scale ─ one in which the worker is entitled to one day off every six days worked.

This Saturday (9), until 12:30 pm (Brasília time), the social network X (formerly Twitter) indicated the topic as a prominent topic at the moment, with 84.9 thousand posts. The Life Beyond Work Movement (VAT), defender of the agenda, called for a “pamphlet” in the center of São Paulo (SP) in defense of the discussion and instructed supporters to appear wearing black clothes.

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In the National Congress, the text is sponsored by federal deputy Erika Hilton (PSOL-SP). The parliamentarian works to obtain the necessary number of signatures from peers to begin processing.

According to the rule, a PEC can only be discussed in the legislative house with the approval of 1/3 of the parliamentarians ─ that is, 171 of the 513 in the case of the Chamber of Deputies and 27 of the 81 in the case of the Federal Senate.

Currently, the 6×1 scale allows companies that offer services every day of the week to organize their employees’ work schedule according to a rule of 6 days worked for every 1 day off. The model is frequently adopted in commerce, restaurants, supermarkets, pharmacies and customer service services.

Critics point out that such working hours would be excessive and would be one of the factors contributing to increasing records of cases of burnout (a term that refers to disorders with symptoms of extreme exhaustion, stress and physical exhaustion normally resulting from exhausting work situations).

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In the petition about the end of the 6×1 scale, VAT also defends an “open and transparent public debate, involving worker representatives, employers and specialists in labor rights, to find viable and fair solutions that improve working conditions in Brazil” .

The movement highlights the importance of “creating worker protection policies that include the right to regular vacations, parental leave, limitation of overtime, among other measures that promote the physical and mental health of employees”. And “strict supervision to ensure compliance with new labor regulations and the punishment of companies that disrespect workers’ rights”.

“Omissions” on the left

As of Friday (8), there were 71 signatures in favor of the PEC being processed, as reported on the website Congress in Focus. This group includes the 13 members of the PSOL bench in the Chamber of Deputies and 37 of the 68 deputies of the PT, the acronym of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. But there were also names of parties such as PSD, PDT, União Brasil, Republicans, Avante, PC do B, PSDB and even PL, owned by Jair Bolsonaro.

Despite the support of some parliamentarians, defenders of the agenda criticize the lack of support from the left. Creator of the Life Beyond Work Movement (VAT), the councilor elected in Rio de Janeiro (RJ) Rick Azevedo (PSOL) demanded, during an interview with the website UOLa position of the Workers’ Party.

“No one can live with just one day off. The 6 to 1 scale is still a model of slavery that has continued. That’s why I say this and reaffirm it without any fear: there’s no way we can talk about life beyond work with just one day off”, stated the elected parliamentarian.

“We need the Workers’ Party, which is in the Presidency, the government of the Workers’ Party, to speak out, because it is a demand of the working class. So, sometimes, it is difficult”, he continued.

In recent days, the movement obtained the signature of deputy Duarte Jr. (PSB-MA) and deputy Benedita da Silva (PT-RJ). Now they are trying to put pressure on deputy Tabata Amaral (PSB-SP), the defeated candidate for mayor of São Paulo (SP).

See the list of parliamentarians who signed for the PEC to be processed:

André Janones (Avante-MG)
Daiana Santos (PCdoB-RS)
Jandira Feghali (PCdoB-RJ)
Márcio Jerry (PCdoB-MA)
Orlando Silva (PCdoB-SP)
Dorinaldo Malafaia (PDT-AP)
Duda Salabert (PDT-MG)
Marcos Tavares (PDT-RJ)
Fernando Rodolfo (PL-PE)
Socorro Neri (PP-AC)
Lídice da Mata (PSB-BA)
Célio Studart (PSD-CE)
Stefano Aguiar (PSD-MG)
Dagoberto Nogueira (PSDB-MS)
Célia Xakriabá (PSOL-MG)
Chico Alencar (PSOL-RJ)
Erika Hilton (PSOL-SP)
Fernanda Melchionna (PSOL-RS)
Glauber Braga (PSOL-RJ)
Guilherme Boulos (PSOL-SP)
Ivan Valente (PSOL-SP)
Luiza Erundina (PSOL-SP)
Pastor Henrique Vieira (PSOL-RJ)
Prof. Luciene Cavalcante (PSOL-SP)
Sâmia Bomfim (PSOL-SP)
Taliria Petrone (PSOL-RJ)
Tarcísio Motta (PSOL-RJ)
Alfredinho (PT-SP)
Ana Pimentel (PT-MG)
Camila Jara (PT-MS)
Carol Dartora (PT-PR)
Dandara (PT-MG)
Delegate Adriana Accorsi (PT-GO)
Denise Pessôa (PT-RS)
Dimas Gadelha (PT-RJ)
Erika Kokay (PT-DF)
Fernando Mineiro (PT-RN)
Gleisi Hoffmann (PT-PR)
João Daniel (PT-SE)
Jorge Solla (PT-BA)
Juliana Cardoso (PT-SP)
Kiko Celeguim (PT-SP)
Leonardo Monteiro (PT-MG)
Lindbergh Farias (PT-RJ)
Luiz Couto (PT-PB)
Luizianne Lins (PT-CE)
Marcon (PT-RS)
Maria do Rosário (PT-RS)
Miguel Ângelo (PT-MG)
Natália Bonavides (PT-RN)
Nilto Tatto (PT-SP)
Odair Cunha (PT-MG)
Padre João (PT-MG)
Patrus Ananias (PT-MG)
Paulão (PT-AL)
Reginete Bispo (PT-RS)
Reimont (PT-RJ)
Rogério Correia (PT-MG)
Rubens Otoni (PT-GO)
Tadeu Veneri (PT-PR)
Vicentinho (PT-SP)
Waldenor Pereira (PT-BA)
Washington Quaquá (PT-RJ)
Túlio Gadelha (Rede-PE)
Antônia Lúcia (Republicans-AC)
Maria Arraes (Solidarity-PE)
Douglas Viegas (União Brasil-SP)
Meire Serafim (Brazil-AC Union)
Saullo Vianna (União Brasil-AM)
Yandra Moura (União Brasil-SE)
Benedita da Silva (PT-RJ)