José Luís Carneiro, Secretary-General of the Socialist Party (PS), expressed on Wednesday that the labor legislation is “quite up-to-date” ahead of the general strike opposing the government’s proposed labor reform.
“In my view, it is quite current because it is the result of what we all identified as a national community regarding social vulnerabilities, namely undeclared work and precariousness,” Carneiro stated to SIC Notícias.
When questioned about the timing of the general strike, which comes as the economy grows and unemployment levels hit record lows, Carneiro was unequivocal: “Worse than the general strike is this labor legislation coming into force.”
He explained that the primary intent of the general strike is to highlight issues of significant seriousness affecting various sectors, especially young people. “What is being discussed is the increase in precariousness among the youth, which is, in my view, a critical factor,” Carneiro asserted.
The PS leader declined to comment on whether he would be open to negotiating with the government in the Assembly of the Republic if a social accord is reached regarding labor reform.
“From my perspective, the primary responsibility lies with the government, which put forward the proposals for amending the legislation,” he remarked, emphasizing that “defining the legal framework is the government’s responsibility, not the Socialist Party’s.”
Pressed further, Carneiro admitted his reluctance to engage on the matter. “If I were to answer that question, I would be suggesting that the PS is open-armed to the government, which would then claim that the PS leadership is so unassertive that it even accepts the humiliations the government intends to impose not just on the unions, but also on the PS,” he responded.
Carneiro suggests the crucial question at this point is: “How does this labor legislation contribute to the purported goals of the competitiveness of the Portuguese economy and the growth of national productivity?”
The proposal tabled by Luís Montenegro’s government is “unthinkable” for the socialist leader, particularly regarding “dismissal without just cause,” the extension of fixed-term contracts, and changes to benefits for parents with minor children.
“It is unthinkable for a government that, if sensitive and capable of dialogue and listening, could understand that this is unfathomable,” Carneiro criticized.
The general strike on Thursday, November 11, organized against the government’s draft labor reform legislation, marks the first joint action of the two main union confederations, CGTP and UGT, since June 2013, during the troika intervention in Portugal.
The planned reforms in the government’s labor legislation focus on areas such as parental leave, dismissals, extension of contract terms, and sectors now subject to minimum services during strikes.
The strike is anticipated to impact several sectors, including healthcare, transportation, education, media, waste collection, and public offices, among others.
