“We want to hear what the proposals are, what intentions they have when forming a government, whatever that may be, and what they truly intend for our country,” stated Filipe Pereira, the coordinator of the Union of Porto Unions, speaking to Lusa.
The union leader explained that the demands of this demonstration include “a 15% salary increase, with a minimum of 150 euros, the end of the expiration of collective bargaining, the reduction of working hours, and the end of precarious work.”
With political parties already in pre-election campaigns, this protest “takes on even greater importance from the perspective of bringing to the forefront the true demands of those who work and those who have worked, namely retirees, pensioners, and young people,” he emphasized.
In other words, he added, “we are here reinforcing our claims with increased emphasis due to the current circumstances, to somehow compel the parties themselves to respond to these demands.”
Following the government’s collapse, Filipe Pereira noted that “some voices questioned whether this demonstration made sense. The evidence is clear because we have thousands of workers mobilizing and joining together,” proving that “the need to take to the streets was even greater.”
“We want to hear what the proposals are, what intentions they have when forming a government,” and “what they truly intend for our country,” he reiterated.
This protest by CGTP is taking place in a decentralized manner in Porto, Coimbra, and Lisbon. “It has a very concrete purpose, which aligns with the demands of those who work and those who have worked. This is what drives us, this is why we are here, even at a moment when we don’t have a functioning government,” and a little over a month before the legislative elections set for May 18.
“The truth is, if we were to take stock and analyze the policies of this outgoing government, including those of the PS, they are always more oriented towards the interests of capital, the interests of large economic groups, which somehow push the interests of those who truly generate wealth, the workers, to the background.”
Therefore, he stressed, “these elections are also an opportunity for those who work to promote a genuine political alternative that truly champions their interests.”
In Porto, workers from the districts of Porto, Viana do Castelo, Braga, Vila Real, Bragança, and Aveiro gathered from 10:00 AM at Campo 24 de Agosto and then marched to Avenida dos Aliados.
The protest’s motto is “Higher wages and better pensions | Defend public services and social functions of the State. Social Security | Health | Education | Housing.”
According to the organizers, “thousands of people” are participating in this protest, while the PSP estimates “a little over two thousand.”
