The Iniciativa Liberal (IL) has expressed criticism towards the decision by union structures to call a general strike at the beginning of December.
In a statement sent to Notícias ao Minuto on Monday, the right-wing party stated that although “the right to strike” is “unquestionable in a free society,” it should not “override the right of people to access the services they depend on daily.”
“The threat by unions to shut down the country on December 11 harms people and does not contribute to improving the conditions of workers,” the party emphasized.
The Liberals stressed that they also advocate for workers’ rights but through a fight for a “more flexible labor law” rather than through strikes: “The defense of workers is achieved by promoting a dynamic economy with modern and balanced labor laws, not by paralyzing the country.”
“A general strike does not create jobs, increase salaries, or improve working conditions. On the contrary, it increases uncertainty and deters investment. When strikes are called while negotiations are still ongoing, it undermines the entire negotiation process that is natural in labor reform processes,” the IL stated.
The Liberals claimed that the current legislation “prevents the creation of more and better employment opportunities and hinders the adaptation of companies and workers to new market realities.” Therefore, the IL stated that a “bold labor reform” is necessary, one that protects workers’ rights while also creating conditions for companies to grow, hire, and pay better.
Furthermore, according to the party, the current labor package on the table is “insufficient in its reformist ambition” and therefore, “the disproportionate reaction to a set of changes that maintain the same assumptions as always in Portuguese labor legislation, still based on labor relations as conceived during the industrial revolution,” is unjustified.
“The Portuguese cannot be held hostage by political and union forces that have consistently been on the wrong side of history, preventing the country from adapting and evolving its economic model,” the party asserted, emphasizing that the solution is not through strikes. “The strike is not the solution, but reforms are.”
According to IL, “flexibility and protection are not enemies” but rather “two sides of the ambition” of a “free, prosperous country with opportunities for all.” The party reiterated that it “will actively participate in the improvement and expansion of the reformist ambition of this labor package, without any fear of provoking the same forces that have paralyzed the country for decades.”
It is worth remembering that the CGTP and UGT have united for the first time since the Troika era, more than ten years ago, to call a general strike for December 11.
The CGTP Secretary-General labeled the current labor package as “one of the largest attacks ever made on workers,” reiterating that “it is a series of changes to labor legislation that, if passed, would be a true setback in everyone’s life.”
The CGTP Secretary-General announced a general strike for December 11 against the Government’s labor package, deeming it a “brutal attack.” The UGT union will also join this strike. And what are the politicians’ reactions?
Maria Gouveia | 10:11 – 09/11/2025
