TST President Calls for Immediate End to 6x1 Work Schedules in Retail

Justice Luiz Philippe Vieira de Mello Filho, president of the Superior Labor Court, advocates for the immediate reduction of work hours in the retail sector. He argues that the industry faces no technical obstacles to adopting shorter schedules, such as 40 or 42 hours per week, without the need for lengthy transition periods.

The magistrate compared current resistance to the past opposition against the implementation of the 13th-month salary. He emphasized that increasing workers' purchasing power strengthens the local economy through the circulation of income. Sectors with highly specific schedules, such as airline crews and offshore oil rig workers, remain exceptions that require greater caution.

Entities such as the National Confederation of Commerce and the National Confederation of Industry are seeking to extend deadlines through the courts. They claim that reorganizing shifts and hiring new staff require a longer adjustment period. The Supreme Federal Court is currently holding hearings to evaluate an implementation timeline.

The Central Bank has expressed concern regarding the impact of this change on the economy. The institution warns that the shift could trigger a supply shock and increase production costs. This scenario contributes to inflationary pressure and influences the Monetary Policy Committee's decisions regarding the Selic interest rate.