NewsPortugal set for major disruptions in first general strike in 12 yearsThe walkout is expected to be Portugal’s largest since June 2013 amid action against a bill to simplify the firing process.
Portugal is preparing for a significant impact from its first general strike in 12 years, as unions call for action against the centre-right minority government's proposed workers' rights reforms.
Portugal is preparing for a significant impact from its first general strike in 12 years, as unions call for action against the centre-right minority government's proposed workers' rights reforms.
The strike, scheduled for Thursday, is expected to cause considerable disruptions in public transport, schools, courts, and hospitals. Workers are protesting against a draft law designed to simplify firing procedures, extend fixed-term contract durations, and increase the minimum services required during a strike.
Prime Minister Luis Montenegro has emphasized that the labour reforms, comprising over 100 measures, aim to stimulate economic growth and improve salary conditions.
The General Confederation of the Portuguese Worker (CGTP) and the General Union of Workers (UGT) have criticized the reforms. The CGTP is organizing approximately 20 demonstrations nationwide. Tiago Oliveira, the CGTP's secretary-general, has labeled the reforms as significant attacks on workers' rights, asserting that they promote job insecurity, deregulate working hours, and facilitate dismissals. Currently, about 1.3 million of Portugal's five million workers are in insecure jobs.
The strike, scheduled for Thursday, is expected to cause considerable disruptions in public transport, schools, courts, and hospitals.
Private sector unions are expected to join the strike. The TAP Air Portugal national airline anticipates operating only a third of its usual 250 flights, while the national railway company has warned of potential disruptions extending into Friday.
With a new presidential election approaching in early 2026, the strike has succeeded in drawing public attention to the labour reforms. A survey published in the Portuguese press indicates that 61 percent of respondents support the strike. Prime Minister Montenegro expressed hope that the country would function as normally as possible during the strike, emphasizing that the rights of some should not infringe on the rights of others.
Despite lacking a parliamentary majority, Montenegro's government is expected to pass the bill with support from liberal and far-right parties. The left-wing opposition has accused the government of not disclosing plans for workers' rights rollbacks during the last parliamentary campaign. Although Portugal has experienced approximately 2 percent economic growth and a historically low unemployment rate of around 6 percent, the prime minister advocates for leveraging the favourable economic climate to implement necessary reforms.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.