Should Portugal Raise the Minimum Working Age to 18? The Debate Heats Up!

The Proposal by the Left Bloc

The Left Bloc (BE) is proposing to increase the minimum working age from 16 to 18, aligning it with the end of compulsory schooling. However, this proposal has sparked debate among the majority, who question the benefits, citing concerns about limiting youth autonomy.

Parliamentary Debate

During a recent parliamentary session, José Soeiro, a member of the BE, emphasized that the proposal is in line with the Portuguese Constitution, which prohibits work for minors of school age. The amendment aims to adapt the Labour Code to reflect changes in schooling ages.

Concerns Over the Proposal

Despite the proposal’s intentions, many politicians expressed skepticism. Paulo Edson Cunha, from the social democrats, warned that such changes could create market instability and send mixed messages about youth employment. João Almeida from CDS-PP argued that the proposal contradicts the goal of youth emancipation, hindering opportunities for gaining professional experience during schooling.

A Barrier to Autonomy?

Hugo Oliveira from PS raised concerns that the law might hinder improvements for young people, especially for families needing additional income. Patrícia Gilvaz, a liberal, stressed that protecting youth should not infantilize them or limit their development opportunities.

Support from the Left

The BE received support from Livre, which highlighted the achievement of extending compulsory schooling to 18 years as a significant democratic milestone. Alfredo Maia from PCP argued for the necessity of ensuring decent working conditions and wages for young workers.

Related Discussions

In addition to the BE proposal, the PAN party introduced a resolution to study child labor in Portugal and explore measures for combating it, emphasizing the need for updated knowledge on the topic, with the last national study conducted over 20 years ago.