Major General Strike Looms in Portugal as Unions Unite Against Labor Reforms

Union Leaders Confirm Joint Action

UGT and CGTP, Portugal's main trade union confederations, are in advanced talks to announce a general strike in the first half of December. This protest targets the government's proposed changes to labor legislation, marking the first time since 2013 that these unions have joined forces for a strike covering both the public and private sectors.

Sérgio Monte, deputy secretary-general of UGT, confirmed to PÚBLICO that discussions are ongoing, with a formal announcement expected soon. Similarly, Ana Pires from CGTP's executive committee noted that a general strike remains a key option, emphasizing the need for unity against what they describe as a significant attack on workers' rights.

Internal Processes and Timelines

UGT is consulting its member unions and has scheduled meetings for November 13 to ratify the strike decision, with Secretary-General Mário Mourão likely to make the announcement. On the CGTP side, leader Tiago Oliveira has long threatened a strike if the government does not withdraw its labor package, and a formal declaration could come as early as this Saturday following a planned demonstration in Lisbon.

Oliveira stressed that the goal is to send a clear message to the government to retract the labor reforms, which he labeled as "deeply negative for the world of work." The Lisbon demonstration aims to showcase widespread public indignation and pressure the government into halting the proposals.

Government's Labor Reform Package

The draft legislation, introduced by Labor Minister Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho in July, proposes over 100 amendments to the Labor Code and other regulations. Key changes include:

• Extending the duration of fixed-term contracts
• Regulating contracts with digital platforms
• Reinstating individual time banks
• Modifying dismissal procedures and limiting worker reinstatement
• Adjusting breastfeeding and flexible working hour policies for parents

Additional contentious points involve easing the expiration of collective bargaining agreements and expanding sectors requiring minimum services during strikes, such as food supply, care for the elderly and disabled children, and essential security services. These have sparked strong opposition from unions and labor experts.

Minister Defends Reforms as Necessary

In contrast to union criticisms, Minister Palma Ramalho defended the proposal as "timely," citing structural issues like low productivity, wages below the European average, and high youth unemployment. She argued that labor law reforms are crucial to address these challenges and highlighted government concessions, such as introducing continuous workday options for parents and grandparents in the private sector and clarifying medical certificates for breastfeeding.

As tensions rise, the potential general strike in early December could become a pivotal moment in Portugal's labor landscape, with both sides firmly entrenched in their positions.