“What a significant action, what a great moment of struggle, what a great moment of workers’ assertion,” stated Tiago Oliveira, emphasizing that many of the thousands present “were also in Porto this morning.”
In an initiative by CGTP, thousands of people of all ages, including children, young people, and those with reduced mobility, marched to the sound of drums from Praça Marquês de Pombal in Lisbon along Avenida da Liberdade, gathering at Restauradores where the CGTP’s secretary-general delivered a speech.
“We are not discussing article A or article B. We are not discussing isolated matters. We are discussing a labor package that is a genuine setback in workers’ rights, a real assault on workers’ rights, an assault that also includes the right to strike,” continued Tiago Oliveira.
He stressed that “what is on the table is negotiating starting from a proposal that manages to be even worse than today’s bad situation,” adding, “this is not progress; this is going backwards.” He noted that a “first signal, a first step” was given today and that it was already communicated to the government to withdraw the proposal on the labor package.
“One thing you know, the struggle is the way,” mentioning that “all forms of struggle are on the table” and reminding that the CGTP proposes a salary increase for everyone by at least 15%, amounting to no less than 150 euros, and setting the National Minimum Wage at 1,050 euros already in January 2026.
He also deemed it “fundamental” to reduce working hours to 35 hours per week for everyone.
Because “we deserve a better life,” concluded Tiago Oliveira, earning strong applause from the demonstrators.
Next Wednesday, September 24, CGTP will convene the National Council to make decisions.
“The struggle continues in companies and on the streets,” chanted the demonstrators after the secretary-general’s speech.
Earlier, at the start of the march, Bloco de Esquerda MEP and presidential candidate Catarina Martins remarked that the labor proposal “demands a national awakening and requires an understanding of the need for a collective struggle and a comprehensive fight that includes all workers, that can unite union centers, that can join civic movements.”
She added, “everyone knows that those who build the country are those who work and what we need from our country, which has been lacking, is respect for those who work. And that is essential.”
“Even if some of these cruel measures debated publicly are withdrawn, if the rest does not recede, in truth, it is worthless. Because if everyone has a precarious contract and everyone can be dismissed, even without just cause, it means that a woman wants to assert her rights,” said Catarina Martins, who expressed hope that “the two largest union centers can be united in this struggle.”
“I also hope that many civic movements can join because it is those who work who build this country,” she concluded.
Meanwhile, presidential candidate António Filipe from the PCP, who also participated in the rally, explained his presence by stating solidarity with Portuguese workers.
“They are at the forefront of my concerns,” he added, pointing out that the Portuguese economy is based “on low wages” and labor legislation that does not “minimally” protect workers.
The government’s labor proposal “is far worse,” he continued, stressing that Labor Law was created “to protect workers” and not the opposite.
“There are all the reasons for Portuguese workers to mobilize against this proposal for worsening conditions and this demonstration is a sign of that, and I could only stand in solidarity.”
Under the motto “More Wages and Rights – Another Path is Possible!” shortly after 3:30 PM, thousands of people began descending Avenida da Liberdade, holding banners that read “35 hours for everyone,” “no to the labor package,” “against right-wing policy and exploitation – for a dignified life.”
With chants accompanied by the sound of drums, demonstrators shouted “the labor package is social regression,” “the public is for everyone, not just a few,” “we will not give up, the package must fall.”
Union representatives from various areas across the country attended this initiative, which around 5:25 PM still gathered several hundred people in the Restauradores area.
CGTP has been insisting that the government’s draft represents “a true setback” in workers’ rights, arguing that there are unconstitutional proposals for change.
At the last Social Concertation meeting on September 10, the government pledged to present a new version of the draft “with progress” on family and parenting-related matters, according to the Secretary-General of the General Union of Workers (UGT) and the President of the Portuguese Business Confederation.
