The Portuguese government has approved a draft labor law reform, dubbed "Trabalho XXI," aiming to revise over a hundred articles of the Labor Code. This comprehensive reform touches on various aspects, including parental leave, flexible work arrangements, and digital platform work conditions, among others. Here's a breakdown of the proposed changes:
Parental Leave and Family Policies
- Extended parental leave up to six months if shared between parents, with adjustments to subsidy rates.
- Fathers' exclusive leave increased to 14 consecutive days post-birth.
- Breastfeeding breaks now limited to two years, requiring medical proof every six months.
- Elimination of gestational grief leave, replaced by unpaid family assistance days.
Work Flexibility and Rights
- Remote work refusal by employers made easier, removing current restrictions.
- Individual time banks reintroduced, allowing up to 150 extra hours annually.
- Fraudulent sick leave declarations can now justify dismissal.
Contract and Employment Changes
- Fixed-term contracts minimum duration extended to one year, renewable up to three times.
- Outsourcing restrictions post-layoffs lifted, allowing immediate external hiring.
- Quotas for hiring people with disabilities expanded to include those with a 33% incapacity rate.
Training and Benefits
- Mandatory training hours halved for micro-enterprises to 20 hours annually.
- Option to receive holiday and Christmas bonuses in monthly installments reinstated.
Digital Platform Workers
- New criteria to define employment relationships with digital platforms, focusing on regularity and economic dependency.
This reform seeks to modernize Portugal's labor laws, balancing flexibility with worker protections, and has already sparked debate among trade unions.
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