Unions in Portugal have launched a general strike to protest against proposed labour reforms, causing train services ground to a halt, hundreds of flights cancelled, and schools closed.
Called by the largest unions CGTP and UGT, it is the first general strike since June 2013, when Portugal was under harsh austerity measures imposed by an international bailout that cut wages and lifted taxes.
The labour reforms envision easing just-cause dismissals in small- and medium-sized businesses and lifting limits on outsourcing.
It aims to simplify firing procedures, extend the length of fixed-term contracts and expand the minimum services required during a strike.
Other contentious measures include capping flexible-work rights for breastfeeding mothers at two years.
The minority centre-right government says the proposed changes – amending more than 100 labour-code articles – aim to boost productivity and spur economic growth.
However, unions accuse it of tilting power toward employers at the expense of workers’ rights, despite a strong economy and low unemployment.
The bill, yet to be submitted to parliament, is expected to pass with backing from the far-right Chega party.
Although his party lacks a majority in parliament, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro’s government should be able to force the bill through with the support of the liberals – and the far right, which has become the second-largest political force in Portugal.
The left-wing opposition has accused Montenegro’s camp of not telling voters that workers’ rights rollbacks were on the cards while campaigning for the last parliamentary elections.
Some public transport operated due to minimum service requirements imposed by authorities, but Lisbon’s streets were noticeably quieter. While hospitals stayed open, most surgeries and appointments have been postponed as nursing staff walked out.
Some of the people who still went to work today said that they had little choice, even if they sympathised with the strike.
The government has refused to back down and insists the changes will increase productivity and ultimately benefit all Portuguese.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said that the government respects the right to strike, “it has been a government of dialogue… But it is a government with a reformist spirit and will not give up on being reformist and transformative.”
Although Portugal has recorded economic growth of about 2 percent and a historically low unemployment rate of some 6 percent, the Prime Minister has argued that the country should take advantage of the favourable climate to push through reforms.
Montenegro has insisted that the labour reforms, with more than 100 measures, were intended to “stimulate economic growth and pay better salaries.”
However, the communist-leaning General Confederation of the Portuguese Worker (CGTP) and more moderate General Union of Workers (UGT) have lambasted the plans.
The CGTP is organising about 20 demonstrations across the country. Its Secretary-General, Tiago Oliveira, called the reforms “among the biggest attacks on the world of work.”
He told a news agency that the government action would “normalise job insecurity,” “deregulate working hours” and “make dismissals easier.”
Oliveira stated that of a working population of some five million people, about 1.3 million are already in insecure positions.
Private sector unions are set to join the action. The TAP Air Portugal national airline expects just a third of its 250 usual flights to get off the ground, while the national railway company has warned the disruption could spill over into Friday.
Public In Support Of Strike In Portugal
According to a survey published in the Portuguese press, public opinion is largely behind the action, with 61 percent of those polled in favour of the walkout.
With Portugal set to elect a new President in early 2026, Oliveira said that he considered the strike was “already a success” as it had drawn public attention to the government’s labour reforms.
On the eve of the strike, Montenegro said that he hoped “that the country will function as normally as possible … because the rights of some must not infringe on the rights of others.”
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