Portugal's labour market reform: what's at stake?
The conservative government in Lisbon wants to implement labour market reforms that would restrict workers' rights and the right to strike. For the first time since the sovereign debt crisis and the so-called "troika years" (2011-2014), the two major trade union confederations, CGTP and UGT, have now jointly called for a general strike.
The right to strike is under threat
Daniel Oliveira, journalist and former leader of the Left Bloc party alliance, warns in Expresso:
“This is not just another change to labour law. It is the final one. After this, there will be no more tools to prevent whatever else they come up with. ... This is one of those battles that can only be lost once. As we saw with the troika [which monitored the European Stability Mechanism from 2011 to 2014], every right that is lost is difficult to regain. This is also because the government intends to undermine the instruments of defence, from the power of trade unions and the right to strike to collective bargaining. The most authoritarian employers, who hold back our economy, would have the almost absolute power they have always dreamed of.”
Protection of workers essential
Jornal de Notícias sees the joint call for a strike by trade unions CGTP and UGT as justified:
“It's unusual for the two trade unions to agree on the same approach in the same struggle. When this happens, it's a sign that something fundamental and serious is going on. ... Restrictions of workers' rights are indeed on the rise again. And even if there is no shortage of people who reject the concept of workers' rights per se, there are even more who believe that in a civilised society the regulation and protection of work and workers is essential. Those who think this way will fight.”