The government has summoned the General Workers' Union (União Geral de Trabalhadores or UGT) and four business confederations to a meeting this Monday, April 13, to continue negotiations on labour law amendments. This follows the UGT's recent rejection of the government's latest proposal, with President António José Seguro also announcing plans to meet with social partners soon to discuss the reform process.
Government schedules new labour law meeting for Monday
Friday, 10 April 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
The General Union of Workers (UGT – União Geral de Trabalhadores) is one of Portugal’s two main national trade union confederations. Founded in Lisbon on 28 October 1978, it was created as a social‑democratic alternative to the more communist‑aligned CGTP after the 1974 Revolution, grouping unions close to the Socialist Party and moderate centre‑right currents.
UGT represents around 400,000 workers and is affiliated to the European Trade Union Confederation and International Trade Union Confederation, giving Portuguese labour a voice at EU and global level. Its principles stress union independence from the state, employers, churches and parties, internal democracy and active worker participation.
Historically, UGT’s hallmark has been “propositive” social dialogue: it is usually more willing than CGTP to sign tripartite agreements on wages, labour law and social policy with governments and employers, shaping minimum wage increases, working‑time rules and social protection reforms. This makes UGT a key centrist actor in Portugal’s industrial relations, often mediating between left and right while defending collective bargaining and incremental improvements to labour rights.
- The President of Portugal (From March 9 2026)
- Party: Independent. Former leader of Socialist Party (PS) Partido Socialista
- Center left
Background:
António José Martins Seguro (born March 11, 1962, in Penamacor) is a lawyer, political scientist, and Socialist Party politician running for president in Portugal's January 18, 2026 election. He led Socialist Youth (1990-1994), served as MEP (1999-2001), was Minister Adjunct to PM António Guterres (2001-2002), and led the PS parliamentary group (2004-2005). Elected PS Secretary-General in 2011 with 68%, he led the opposition during Portugal's bailout era. In 2014, António Costa defeated him in party primaries by a landslide, prompting Seguro's resignation and decade-long retreat from politics. He returned in 2025, launching the movement UPortugal and announcing his presidential candidacy in June. He received official PS backing in October 2025. Political Philosophy:
Seguro positions himself as representing a "modern and moderate" left, offering a progressive alternative to conservative candidates. He advocates for "financial responsibility but critical of austerity," attempting to reposition the PS at center-left. His campaign emphasizes institutional trust, efficient governance, and hope for a better future.
Sources (8)
- Government schedules new meeting on labour law amendments for Monday. Attendance of tourism employers is uncertainECO · 4:47pm, 10 Apr 2026
- In a race against time, the Government brings UGT and employers back to the tableObservador · 6:09pm, 10 Apr 2026
- Minister of Labour summons UGT and employers for a new meeting on MondayPúblico · 5:22pm, 10 Apr 2026
- UGT's rejection of the new labour reform proposal 'is not a good sign': 'The support of this union is very important'CNN Portugal · 5:27pm, 10 Apr 2026
- Government calls for a new meeting on Monday regarding changes to labour lawExpresso · 4:54pm, 10 Apr 2026
- President steps into labour reform morassPortugal Resident · 4:53pm, 10 Apr 2026
- Government summons UGT and confederations for a new meeting on Monday regarding changes to labour lawDinheiro Vivo · 4:41pm, 10 Apr 2026
- Meeting scheduled between Government, employers and UGT. Seguro says he will meet with Social Partners "soon"RTP Notícias · 4:24pm, 10 Apr 2026
