At the National Sports Center in Jamor, Mário Mourão opened his speech by noting that “the May Day celebrations, much like last year, are set against a backdrop of political change,” referring to the impending elections on the 18th.
This political crisis coincides with “international unrest,” yet “the UGT will never accept these changes being used to halt social progress or devalue those who earn a living from their work,” he asserted.
Mário Mourão assured a crowd waving flags of various unions within the UGT that “political instability will not alter the direction set by the UGT nor compromise the work of the union and its affiliates.”
“Governments may change. However, whoever takes charge must honor the commitments made with us. Whoever takes charge must fulfill the agreements signed in social concertation,” he stated.
He also delivered a clear message to the next government, emphasizing that “there is work to be done to solve the problem of the 40% of unemployed individuals who are poor.”
The UGT’s secretary-general criticized those “who want to dictate the rules for workers coming to Portugal and overlook the essentials,” highlighting the exclusion of unions from discussions about the so-called “Green Lane” for immigrants.
For this Workers’ Day, celebrated with a gathering in Jamor, the UGT chose the sole motto: “Together for the valorization of workers.”
Lucinda Dâmaso, president of the UGT, also spoke, emphasizing that the “UGT has been fundamental throughout democracy,” always being “where needed and alongside the workers.”
The union leader acknowledged “there is still much ground to cover,” emphasizing the need to “end precariousness and the policy of low wages.”
Workers’ Day is being celebrated today across the country, with the CGTP and UGT promoting demonstrations and initiatives for the valorization of workers.
The celebrations at the National Sports Center in Jamor, Lisbon, commenced at 10:00 AM with the 9th UGT Race, followed by various sports and union-related activities organized by the unions affiliated with this central union.
May Day, International Workers’ Day, originated from events in Chicago 139 years ago when a day of action for an eight-hour workday was met with violent repression by U.S. authorities, resulting in the deaths of dozens of workers and the execution of four union leaders.
Fifty-one years ago in Portugal, the celebration of May Day, just a week after the April 25th revolution, was a significant popular demonstration.
Across the country, hundreds of thousands turned out in the streets, expressing joy and making demands like ‘the right to strike’, ‘end the war now’, and ‘bring the soldiers back’.
