6×1 scale: which sectors will be most affected by the proposed changes?

Debates on the Proposed Amendment to the Constitution that aims to reduce working hours from 44 to 36 hours per week are still in evidence in the National Congress. After the minimum number of signatures from parliamentarians is reached, the text can now be processed. Discussions about scale formats have already begun, but it is important to question one point: after all, which sectors will be most affected by this measure?

In the assessment of the president of the São Paulo Economists Union, Carlos Oliveira Jr., the change affects, above all, segments that operate continuously, such as areas of the Commerce sector, for example. In addition to these, the specialist highlights areas of the Services sector that also use the 6×1 scale to maintain operations every day of the week, such as hotels, restaurants, bakeries, transport and logistics.

It also considers some specific professions. “Cashier operators, supermarket restockers, clerks, cleaning workers, security workers, health professionals, nurses, nursing technicians, transport employees, personnel who provide support at the technology level, in banking and customer service as well”, he points out.

Jobs in the most affected sectors

Data from IBGE’s 2022 Annual Commerce Survey – released this year, reveal that 10.3 million people were employed in companies in the Commerce sector in 2022. Of this total, 7.6 million worked in retail and 1.9 million in wholesale. As for the hotel, events and tourism sector, the sum is 3.7 million professionals, according to data from the Brazilian Hotel Industry Association (ABIH).

6×1 scale: a new era or risk for labor relations?

Oliveira Jr. states that the proposal presents some positive points for employees, such as more hours of rest, for example, but he also sees challenges for companies that will need to increase expenses, which can be passed on to the end consumer.

“It (company) has to hire more people to fill this period. And then costs will rise. It can have an impact on pricing, such as retail, hospitality, where hiring new workers or paying overtime can be a financial challenge. For a smaller company, the change may be unfeasible, as, in addition to the additional cost, there is the challenge of adapting schedules and managing a larger team”, he explains.

Salary in the most affected sectors

Also according to IBGE, the average salary in the Services sector was 2.3 monthly minimum wages in 2022. When considering the minimum wage for that year, the total value is equivalent to R$2,787.60. In relation to Commerce, remuneration reached an average of 2.4 minimum wages.

The proposal has at least 171 signatures from deputies to begin processing. The change could have a strong impact on labor rights in Brazil, which are historically protected by robust legislation.

The Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT) already establishes a limit for the weekly working day of 44 hours, with a minimum rest period of 24 consecutive hours. Although the CLT allows certain flexibility — such as alternative work schedules and hourly payment. But for Barbosa, the most drastic scenario for change, if the PEC is approved, would be the increase in informality and unemployment.