At the EXIDE factory in Castanheira do Ribatejo, in the municipality of Vila Franca de Xira, Paulo Raimundo received a petition signed by 160 workers expressing their support for the CDU, followed by a carnation embroidered by the PCP cell at the company.
“And then they want me to be pessimistic. I can’t be pessimistic,” the communist leader stated to the journalists.
Before the shift change at this battery manufacturing facility, Paulo Raimundo declared that he was “full of energy,” dismissing overly optimistic expectations for May 18.
With “feet firmly on the ground,” the PCP’s general secretary expressed confidence in strengthening support in Setúbal, Lisbon, and Porto, as well as regaining a deputy position in Beja.
Near the company premises, Paulo Raimundo listened to the praise from the union delegate, who remarked that the PCP is concerned “with the workers and their rights.”
Following the commendations, the communist leader suggested that his “campaign day would be complete” if the media gave “a voice to these people.”
Ricardo Santos, who has worked for eight years at the company and serves as a union delegate, told Lusa news agency that they decided to show support for the CDU, stating it is the only party “that comes to the company to fight for our rights.”
“They support us, so of course we will support those who support us,” he noted, mentioning that the work at the company is demanding due to continuous rotating shifts and handling of toxic substances.
“We want salary compensation, but above all, quality of life, because no matter how much money we have, without health, we cannot enjoy time with our families,” he emphasized.
Another worker, who declined to be named, confirmed the inherent exhaustion of the job, “because of the shifts, fiberglass, lead, sulfuric acid, the pressure.”
“It is not an easy job,” he asserted, also praising the PCP as the only party that has supported them “in rain or shine,” and has never abandoned the workers at the company.
