Reduction in Working Hours and its Sociological Impacts

The proposal by federal deputy Erica Hilton's team that workers governed by the CLT should work four days a week, with a limit of 8 hours a day, resulting in a 32-hour week in regular hours (which can reach 36 hours with limited overtime), opens a debate on the balance between work, well-being and the economy in the Brazilian context.

The first sociological analysis to be made refers to the impact of this change on the structural dynamics of the labor market. Brazilian society, marked by exhaustion and debt, sees this proposal as a possibility for relief. The proposal reflects an understanding that working time is directly linked to social well-being and the mental health of individuals. According to data from Serasa, more than 72 million Brazilians are in default, revealing a deep economic crisis and a need for time and money. Almost 80% of Brazilian families have some type of debt, highlighting an environment where time and money are insufficient for the majority.

However, reduced working hours would not necessarily imply free time for everyone, since many workers would probably use the extra time for additional paid activities. Sociologically, this points to a potential intensification of the "second shift" and a possible increase in "multi-employment" — a common phenomenon in low-income societies. This situation highlights a contradictory relationship between the promise of more leisure and the reality of additional informal work, signaling that freedom of time becomes subordinate to economic necessity.

Another relevant aspect is the issue of wages. The proposal foresees that wages for a 44-hour week would be maintained for 32 hours, resulting in a significant increase in the value of the hour worked — approximately 40%. This measure, applied to approximately 40 million formal workers, would generate a wage increase, but would also widen the gap between CLT workers and others, exacerbating inequality in the Brazilian labor market. Small and medium-sized companies, which employ a significant portion of CLT workers, would be under financial pressure. In this sense, the proposal could lead to both layoffs and a migration to informal contracts, putting these workers' job security and rights at risk.

Still in the economic field, studies suggest that reducing working hours can increase productivity, but these studies are based on different realities. In Brazil, where productivity is low and investment in qualifications is limited, replicating such gains seems unlikely without improvements in education and professional training. Thus, the proposal for reduced working hours is less a policy to improve productivity and more a social experiment that, if not carefully planned, could fail in its intentions.

The transition to shorter working hours also poses challenges in the context of automation and Artificial Intelligence, which are expected to increasingly replace jobs. Sociologically, the proposal can be seen as a reflection of an attempt to adapt to structural unemployment. However, an abrupt implementation without prior studies to measure the real impact puts the country in a vulnerable position to economic crises, such as inflation, which has historically accompanied wage increase initiatives without sustainable bases. The example of the 13th salary illustrates how, without structural adjustments, workers' purchasing power tends to be neutralized by inflation, leaving issues of productivity and quality of life still unanswered.

In this scenario, it is essential that the adoption of a four-day work week be accompanied by research, sectoral experiments and complementary policies, especially in sectors with low productivity and high informality. Only then will it be possible to assess whether a change of this magnitude can in fact benefit the population without compromising the economy.

In connection with broader fiscal issues, the analysis team notes that the federal government has not yet presented concrete solutions for cutting spending, an essential element to balance this new proposed work week. There is an internal dispute over which areas would be affected.

It is important to note that an effective measure to reduce spending must be aligned with economic growth, and not just specific cuts. It is important to note that the model of increasing the minimum wage based on GDP may result in an expansion of social spending beyond the capacity of GDP, creating a vicious circle. Without a balance between economic growth and public spending, the four-day model may not be sustainable. Reducing transfers from the Union to specific areas, such as education and health, is an alternative, but it does not solve the long-term structural problem.

In short, Congresswoman Erica Hilton's proposal to reduce working hours raises profound reflections on work, equality and economic development in Brazil. It is a step towards a society that seeks more balance, but it requires careful impact studies, dialogue and structural adjustments before its full implementation. From a sociological perspective, such a proposal is a reflection of the need for social transformation in a society that faces the burden of debt, exhaustion and economic inequality.