The president of the Senate, Davi Alcolumbre (União-AP), blocked the processing of the proposed amendment to the Constitution (PEC) that ends the 6x1 work schedule in Brazil by keeping the text in the House's Board of Directors, without sending it to the Constitution and Justice Commission (CCJ). The president of the CCJ, senator Otto Alencar (PSD-BA), said that he did not receive information about the date for sending the PEC to the Commission. A meeting between Otto and Alcolumbre, scheduled for this week, was canceled by the president of the Senate. When contacted, Alcolumbre's advisors did not comment on the topic of the report. Related news: Senators discuss the pace of processing the PEC at the end of the 6x1 scale. Alcolumbre suggests “improving” 6x1 and wants to pass PEC through commissions. Alcolumbre remains silent about 6x1 and the opposition tries to preserve scale. The president of the Senate also did not schedule a meeting of leaders to discuss the agenda. The meeting usually takes place weekly. Last week, Alcolumbre stated, in the plenary, that he would discuss the processing of the PEC to end the 6x1 at the leaders' meeting. In addition to establishing the mandatory two days of paid rest for workers per week, PEC 221 of 2019 reduces the working day in Brazil from the current 44 hours to 40 hours per week. Postponement strategy  Political scientist and professor at the Federal University of Alagoas (Ufal) Luciana Santana assesses that the postponement of this definition reflects concerns about the economic impacts and resistance, mainly in the business sectors, in relation to the reduction of working hours in Brazil. "It's election year. On a topic with this social repercussion, leaders prefer to manage this discussion time by avoiding taking immediate political courses." Research on the impacts of the PEC on the economy has diverged in relation to the consequences for inflation, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the level of employment. According to an expert, the postponement of the PEC discussion suggests that Alcolumbre has not yet made a political decision on the procedure, but considers that this does not mean a definitive rejection of the merits of the proposal. "The simple existence of social support does not guarantee progress. The president of the House has the instruments to be able to define the priority and pace of the agenda. He is keeping this issue under his control, as president of the Senate, while broader negotiations continue behind the scenes.” Opposition PEC is dispatched While the PEC at the end of the 6x1 scale is not dispatched, Alcolumbre sent to the CCJ the alternative PEC at the end of the 6x1, presented by the opposition, which maintains the current work scale in Brazil and allows hiring per hour worked.  Government leaders hope to vote on the PEC at the end of the 6x1 that came from the Chamber, without changes, this semester, before the Legislative recess, which begins on July 18th, interspersed with São João and the World Cup. During this week's Senate plenary sessions, government senators demanded the processing of the PEC. “It is imperative that we do so as soon as possible, perhaps well before, by the end of this month, the conclusions of our first semester, on July 17th”, highlighted senator Veneziano Vital do Rêgo (PSB-PB). The leader of the PT in the Senate, senator Teresa Leitão (PT-PE), also asked for priority to the PEC that establishes the 5x2 scale in Brazil. “The Senate needs to prioritize this issue, which is, indeed, a priority for the country, which aims to be large, civilized and developed, for decent work and the appreciation of salaried workers.” On the other hand, opposition senator Hermes Klann (PL-SC) criticized the PEC. "[The proposal] reduces working hours without presenting a solution to offset the costs of this change. The bill will not disappear, someone will pay. And, as always, the population itself is the one paying." Senator Romário (PL-RJ), even from the opposition, defended the measure. “I will always be in favor of any measure that aims to guarantee more rights for our workers”, he spoke from the gallery. Salary floor for street cleaners Despite not commenting on the topic this week, Alcolumbre reacted when asked by senator Fabiano Contarato (PT-ES) to include on the agenda the project that establishes a minimum wage of R$3,000 for street cleaners. "I have 31 projects that deal with working hours, that deal with the minimum wage for many categories. I cannot be selective", replied the president of the Senate, claiming that, if he were to guide the minimum wage project for street cleaners, he would have to consider other professional categories. According to Alcolumbre, it would be complex to vote on projects that increase spending in an election year. “Whatever I put up for voting, everyone will vote ‘yes’ because of the election, and they will have to find ten brasis to pay.” Agricultural refill On the other hand, Acolumbre guided, and the Senate approved, this Wednesday (10), the bill (PL) that provides for the use of the Pre-salt Social Fund to finance agribusiness debts that the government estimates will have a fiscal cost of R$ 140 billion, over 10 years. The Ministry of Finance asked for more time and changes to PL 5,122/2023, under the rapporteur of Senator Renan Calheiros (MDB-AL), due to the impact on public coffers. According to Alcolumbre, the measure was put to a vote because of an agreement with the senators. “I fully respect the government's position, which has repeatedly called on the Senate to exercise caution when deliberating relevant matters that could impact Brazil's budget, but I reached an agreement with the senators and the deputies on several occasions.” Finance Minister Dario Durigan informed that the government will try to change the text of PL 5,122/2023 in the Chamber and, if this is not successful, it could appeal to the Federal Supreme Court (STF) on the grounds of non-compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Law. "Our objective is, rather, to help those farmers who need it most, who prove losses, who have problems with debts. We don't [want] to create some kind of new line that serves those who don't need it", he told journalists as he left the Ministry of Finance, after approval of the PL in the Senate.