Generalstreik in Portugal: Widerstand gegen Arbeitsmarktreform der Regierung

Disruptions in Public Life

In Portugal, a one-day general strike against the labor market reform planned by the conservative government has already led to significant disruptions in public life by the morning. The effects were particularly noticeable in the transportation sector, as reports from the newspaper „Correio da Manha“ and other media indicate. This is already the second general strike directed against the reform, following an initial protest in November.

In the capital Lisbon, the subway has been completely out of service since late Tuesday evening, while only emergency services were offered in bus and train transport. Long queues formed at bus stops and taxi stands, severely restricting citizens‘ mobility. Air traffic was also affected: More than half of the flights were canceled at Lisbon Airport, while other airports in the country recorded an average cancellation rate of over 40 percent.

Scope of the Protests

In addition to transportation issues, schools, universities, hospitals, and waste disposal services were also significantly impacted. The umbrella union federation CGTP reported „massive participation“ in the protests, while the state news agency Lusa ceased its reporting. However, Labor Minister Maria do Rosário Ramalho described participation in the strike as „low,“ particularly in the private sector, which is heavily affected by the reform.

Planned Reforms and Their Impacts

The minority government under Prime Minister Luís Montenegro is planning a comprehensive reform of labor law that includes more than a hundred changes. The aim is to increase productivity and competitiveness and to adapt the labor market to the challenges of digitalization. The government expects this reform to create new jobs and higher wages.

In contrast, the unions warn of the potential negative consequences of the reform. They fear a „normalization of precarious employment,“ which could lead to wage cuts, increased layoffs, and a rise in temporary contracts. CGTP leader Tiago Oliveira expressed a fighting spirit, promising: „We will bring the government to its knees.“ This confrontation could not only affect social stability but also the competitiveness and attractiveness of Portugal as a location, which is of central importance to investors.