Plan to bypass constitutional amendment route risks friction with Lower House leadership
The government of President Lula has decided to send Congress a bill to abolish the so-called 6-on-1 workweek, where employees work six consecutive days followed by one day of rest. However, the move has caused division within the ruling coalition, with concerns that it could strain relations with the Speaker of the Lower House, Hugo Motta. Therefore, the government intends to consult Motta prior to officially submitting the proposal.
The draft being discussed would establish two days of weekly rest, a maximum 40-hour workweek, and no reduction in wages. The measure is one of the administration’s main labor initiatives in an election year, though business groups warn it could slow economic activity and cause job losses.
The decision to pursue a bill was made last week, but the timing of its submission has not yet been determined.
Earlier this year, the government considered dropping the proposal after Motta signaled that Congress would proceed with the issue by appointing a rapporteur. However, nearly two months later, officials in the executive branch believe the matter has stalled, citing a lack of significant progress in the Constitution and Justice Committee.
Another concern is the format currently being discussed in Congress—a constitutional amendment. Under this plan, the president would lack veto power. Government officials worry that lawmakers might propose adjustments that broaden exceptions to the original proposal, leaving the executive with little ability to act.
Additionally, constitutional amendments need a three-fifths vote in both houses of Congress, in two rounds of voting—a high threshold that makes the process uncertain.
By contrast, an ordinary bill can be approved with a simple majority in a single vote. If submitted with constitutional urgency, it can also require Congress to act within 45 days by blocking the legislative agenda until it is addressed.
Although officials close to the presidency say the decision to send the bill has effectively been made, government negotiators in the Lower House remain cautious and have avoided confirming the move.
Their assessment is that submitting a bill could be viewed by Motta and party leaders as a provocation, given the speaker’s repeated defense of addressing the issue through a constitutional amendment instead of ordinary legislation.
In a recent meeting, Motta told government officials he planned to act swiftly and pledged to deliver the amendment approved by a special committee as early as May.
According to these officials, the government’s main concern was the pace of discussions and the risk that a slower process could cause the proposal to lose momentum. Motta’s signal of faster progress was therefore well received—reducing the incentive to submit a separate bill that could trigger political friction and complicate negotiations.
By Sofia Aguiar and Beatriz Roscoe — Brasília
Source: Valor International
https://valorinternational.globo.com/