João Cotrim Figueiredo participated in the JEE Autumn Conference 2025, a European gathering of young university entrepreneurs, at ISCTE in Lisbon. He addressed journalists’ questions concerning UGT’s admission of considering a two-day strike in response to the government’s lack of changes in the labor legislation proposal.
“Negotiations should be conducted in good faith, meaning both sides should be ready to compromise,” he stated.
The presidential candidate supported by IL emphasized the necessity of maintaining flexibility in labor legislation to ensure Portugal can capitalize on forthcoming changes.
Cotrim Figueiredo clarified that the President of the Republic does not have the mandate to intervene in negotiations involving trade union confederations and the government, highlighting that each party negotiates with its own tools and reasons.
“When it comes to labor legislation, and potentially other areas with similar traits, we should not only consider the interests of the currently employed but also those of the unemployed,” he urged.
The former IL president and current MEP proposed a straightforward approach.
“Those without a job want employment, which is created by companies. Those with jobs desire better wages, which larger companies provide. Thus, anything promoting company growth benefits both current employees and job seekers,” he noted.
Concerning the PS’s announcement to request a prior review of the Nationality Law, Cotrim Figueiredo viewed it as a natural exercise of constitutional rights.
“If a sufficient number of deputies request a preventive review of a law, they should proceed. The Socialist Party has the right to have its discrepancies or doubts about the law clarified before a definitive stance. This is a fundamental aspect of democratic debate,” he said.
The UGT’s general secretary explained in an interview with Antena 1 and Jornal de Negócios that the union decided on the strike after being cornered by the government, which suggested a reflection. They may proceed with “two strike days” if the government maintains its current proposal.
CGTP’s general secretary, Tiago Oliveira, announced the general strike on the 8th following a national march against the labor package, which saw thousands of workers protesting in Lisbon against the proposed changes by Luís Montenegro’s government.
On Thursday, UGT unanimously agreed to join forces with CGTP, with the Social Democratic Workers (TSD) casting a favorable vote.
This will mark the first joint strike by the two trade union centrals since June 2013, during Portugal’s intervention by the ‘troika’.
