Portugal set for major disruptions in first general strike in 12 years

"Portugal is bracing for a widespread impact nationally from its first general strike in 12 years, as unions urge action against the centre-right minority government's planned workers' rights reforms. Heavy disruption is expected for public transport, schools, courts and hospitals on Thursday, as workers protest against a draft law aiming to simplify firing procedures, extend the length of fixed-term contracts and expand the minimum services required during a strike."

"Prime Minister Luis Montenegro has insisted that the labour reforms, with more than 100 measures, were intended to stimulate economic growth and pay better salaries. But the communist-leaning General Confederation of the Portuguese Worker (CGTP) and more moderate General Union of Workers (UGT) have lambasted the plans. The CGTP is organising about 20 demonstrations across the country. Its secretary-general, Tiago Oliveira, called the reforms among the biggest attacks on the world of work."

"Of a working population of some five million people, about 1.3 million are already in insecure positions, Oliveira said. Private sector unions are set to join the action. The TAP Air Portugal national airline expects just a third of its 250 usual flights to get off the ground, while the national railway company has warned the disruption could spill over into Friday."

Portugal faces its first general strike in 12 years as unions protest a centre-right minority government's proposed labour reforms. The draft law seeks to simplify firing procedures, lengthen fixed-term contracts and expand minimum services during strikes. Heavy disruption is expected across public transport, schools, courts and hospitals, with TAP Air Portugal forecasting only a third of its usual flights and national rail warning disruptions could continue into Friday. Prime Minister Luis Montenegro says the more-than-100-measure reform package aims to stimulate growth and raise salaries. The CGTP and UGT criticise the plans and the CGTP is organising about 20 demonstrations. Of a working population of about five million, unions say roughly 1.3 million are already in insecure jobs and describe the reforms as normalising job insecurity and deregulating working hours.

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