Portugal’s two main trade unions are calling for what could be the country’s biggest strike in over a decade, with severe flight and rail disruptions expected to affect UK travellers
A strike organised by Portugal’s two main trade unions is set to cause major flight and rail disruption on Thursday. The unions, which represent nearly a million Portuguese workers, believe it could be the country’s largest walkout in over a decade.
They are protesting against the centre-right government’s proposed changes to employment laws. The move will also shut many government services and force the cancellation of medical appointments and classes.
The proposed alterations include making it easier for companies to dismiss employees, expanding the sectors where striking is prohibited, and limiting breastfeeding breaks for mothers to the first two years of a baby’s life, instead of the current indefinite allowance.
The unions argue that these changes strip workers of their rights, while the government insists they are necessary to make the economy more flexible and stimulate growth.
Portugal has one of the smallest economies in the European Union, and its workers are among the lowest paid in the 27-nation bloc. The average monthly wage is approximately 1,600 euros (£1,400) before tax, according to the National Statistics Institute.
The minimum monthly wage earned by hundreds of thousands of workers is 870 euros (£760) before tax.
The Portuguese are also feeling the squeeze from a housing and cost-of-living crisis, as property prices skyrocket and inflation remains just above 2%.
The European Commission anticipates Portugal will hit GDP growth of around 2% this year, surpassing the EU average of 1.4%. Joblessness sits below 6%, roughly in line with the EU average.
Trade unions organised street demonstrations on Thursday. This marks the first occasion since 2013 that the umbrella organisations – the General Workers’ Union and the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers – have united their efforts.
Social Democrat Prime Minister Luis Montenegro has branded the strike as “senseless” given the country’s strong performance.
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