The union Sinttav, affiliated with the CGTP, has criticized the government, claiming it caters to employers’ demands. The proposed legislative changes would represent “the greatest assault on workers’ rights and the deepening of a model based on low wages and job insecurity.”
The union states, “The severity of the proposed changes to labor laws reflects the actions of one of the most anti-worker governments Portugal has had since April 25. This necessitates a strong resistance from the Trade Union Movement and workers to express their protest in the streets, in companies, and potentially reaching the Assembly of the Republic to thwart this wild attack on workers’ rights.”
The union urges workers to participate in the demonstration organized by the CGTP on September 20 in Lisbon and Porto, aiming to show “their discontent” and “halt this ‘Brutal and Violent’ attack on workers’ rights.”
Sinttav also announced it will submit, “within the legal timeframe,” a strike notice for sector workers to join the protest, as telecommunications and audiovisual workers are expected to work, even on the scheduled Saturday protest day.
The government’s draft reform of labor legislation, still under negotiation with social partners, proposes revisions to “more than a hundred” articles of the Labor Code.
Labeled “Trabalho XXI” by the government, the proposal introduced on July 24 seeks a “profound” review of labor laws, addressing issues like parental leave, breastfeeding and bereavement, flexible work, company training, trial periods in employment contracts, and expanding sectors that require minimum services during strikes.
According to the Minister of Labor, Solidarity and Social Security, Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho, the aim is to make labor regimes “more flexible,” enhancing economic competitiveness and boosting business productivity.
The minister also states that the reform “rewards workers based on merit,” encourages employment, particularly youth employment, and revitalizes collective bargaining.
