“In the face of this scenario of labor and social regression, and amid a legislative process that did not respect dialogue or negotiation, FNE considers the general strike a necessary and responsible response to defend workers, families, and the quality of education,” the statement explains.
According to the federation, which represents educators and teachers, the government’s proposals “represent a deep setback in labor and social rights.”
Specifically, the statement highlights threats to parental rights, increased job insecurity due to the extension of fixed-term contracts, and the impact on work-life balance.
FNE also criticizes the weakening of trade unions, citing examples such as restrictions on collective bargaining and limitations on the right to strike through the expansion of minimum services.
Additionally, the representatives of the teachers criticize the manner in which the government is conducting the negotiation process, expressing bewilderment at the reasons for such a “profound change” to the Labor Code.
“A reform is only legitimate when it is justified, involves social partners genuinely, is debated transparently, and results from a serious negotiation process,” they argue, considering that “none of this happened throughout this process.”
Therefore, FNE believes that regardless of the final outcome, the labor law reform “will hardly contribute to achieving good results or respond to objectives that the government never clearly explained.”
On Thursday, the National Federation of Teachers also announced its participation in the general strike on the 11th, marking the first strike bringing together the two main union confederations, CGTP and UGT, since June 2013, when Portugal was under the ‘troika’ intervention.
