During the session “Labour Reform or Liberal Counter-reform?” organized by the Public Cause Association at the Faculty of Social and Human Sciences of the New University of Lisbon, the two central unions expressed critical views on the proposals made by the Executive, currently under discussion with social partners since this week.
The debate also gathered various experts and brought together the leaders of the two central unions.
The Secretary-General of CGTP, Tiago Oliveira, emphasized that this is a moment of “unity and convergence in workplaces, in information, in mobilization, and in empowering workers.”
The union has already called for a National Day of Action on September 20 in Lisbon and Porto, aiming to make it a “great moment of struggle, a great moment of affirmation, a great moment of denunciation.”
Asked about the possibility of a joint general strike with UGT, Tiago Oliveira stated: “As in the past, if the Government continues on this path, we will find the necessary means to respond.”
Regarding the measures presented by the Executive, the CGTP leader was unequivocal: “We completely reject this package of aggression against workers (…) all of them are negative proposals (…) from our point of view, we must fight this labor package presented by the Government.”
“It is a complete regression. We are advancing towards the 19th century,” he highlighted.
The Deputy Secretary-General of UGT, Sérgio Monte, mentioned that the union is analyzing the draft proposal, which they also “flatly” rejected as presented.
Monte noted that UGT does not publicly disclose its red lines “to not hinder dialogue,” but assured that the union will present its proposals, including “reducing working hours, a four-day workweek, changes in the area of parental rights, and ensuring that miscarriage leave can always be utilized.”
Nonetheless, he acknowledged that there are “very insurmountable” matters for UGT, emphasizing: “this dismissal issue, the probation period (…) it’s the liberalization of dismissal (…) and will be very difficult to accept.”
Asked by Lusa about a potential joint general strike, he responded: “Nothing is off the table. A general strike is not prepared overnight.”
The Government’s draft, presented in July, includes changes in the areas of parental rights (leave, breastfeeding, and gestational mourning), flexible work, training within companies, probation period, and minimum services in case of a strike.
Business confederations have welcomed the proposal, believing there is still room for improvement, while central unions speak of a “civilizational setback.”
The Government has committed to presenting a new version of the draft by October 8, “with developments” in family and parental matters.
