The secretary-general of UGT has criticized the government’s proposed labor law revisions, describing them as “ideological” and insufficient to address current labor market issues such as low wages and the necessity for micro and small businesses to gain scale.
Despite acknowledging improvements “in one or another aspect” compared to the initial proposal, Mário Mourão views these as “ineffective,” noting the retention of measures deemed controversial by UGT. These measures include the extension of fixed-term contracts, the reintroduction of individual time banks while eliminating the group time bank, and the revocation of restrictions on outsourcing for a year following layoffs.
He expressed that an agreement with the government is “very far off,” accusing it of being “heavily in favor of employers.”
“The government’s role should be that of an arbitrator. It should reconcile, bring positions closer between employers and employees. That is not what the government does. It has taken a position in the Social Dialogue, siding with employers,” stated the UGT secretary-general regarding the general strike scheduled for December 11 in conjunction with CGTP.
The leader of UGT also criticized the government’s timing, presenting a new proposal only after the general strike announcement, arguing it was presented “out of time,” considering discussions on the draft started on July 24.
Mário Mourão revealed that UGT once thought the government was stalling to submit the proposal “as is, without changes” to the Assembly of the Republic right after the final global vote on the State Budget for 2026.
Reiterating the need for concessions from both sides for an agreement, the UGT secretary-general criticized the Labor Minister’s statements for not helping the necessary negotiation environment.
“For an agreement, there must be concessions on both sides. When one side claims core principles it cannot surpass, it is not seeking agreement but rupture,” Mário Mourão argued, emphasizing negotiation willingness.
Regarding the minister stating there will be “more time” for UGT to review this proposal at the union’s request, Mário Mourão declined to specify if a concrete deadline was agreed upon for presenting a counterproposal.
For UGT, much “depends on the time the government is willing to dedicate to dialogue and negotiation,” reaffirming if everything is “rushed,” there will not be the “right environment” for reaching an agreement in the Social Dialogue.
Despite highlighting the “political weight difference” if a proposal reaches the Assembly of the Republic with or without a Social Dialogue agreement, Mário Mourão noted the “drama” is not this, recalling the document must always pass through parliamentary scrutiny.
“What UGT wants with this proposal is, if possible, for the document presented to the Assembly of the Republic to be very different from the one currently on the table,” he explained, citing the example of the Decent Work Agenda approved without Social Dialogue agreement.
Mário Mourão further claimed he “feels” the government is “comfortable” submitting the proposal to the Assembly of the Republic, given the “parliamentary composition likely to approve” the document, referencing Chega’s willingness to negotiate changes.
“But whoever approves it must bear the consequences and responsibilities of their actions,” he warned, asserting the draft, as it stands, “is bad for those in the labor world,” he concluded.
UGT also promises to leverage its “influence” with political parties to “improve” the proposal when it is being discussed in parliament.
