The Minister of Labor, Solidarity, and Social Security, today emphasized that a cycle of structural poverty cannot be disrupted without a “broad and robust middle class.”
“No cycle of structural poverty can be broken without a broad and robust middle class. Therefore, in the State Budget for 2026 (OE2026), we propose the continuation of the policy we began a year and a half ago” in areas such as poverty, inclusion, and Social Security, stated Rosário Palma Ramalho during a general discussion on the OE2026 proposal.
The minister indicated that this is a budget that “does not give up, because Portugal has very serious structural problems that need to be confronted.”
The issues at stake include wages and productivity below the European average, as well as the wage disparity between women and men, youth unemployment, and poverty or social exclusion.
According to the minister, “without new revenues, the old story will repeat itself,” thus advocating for a “reformist and transformative agenda that promotes wealth creation in the country while protecting those in vulnerable situations.”
Palma Ramalho also highlighted that the “Work XXI” reform will be implemented in a legislative proposal to be submitted to parliament.
