The General Workers' Union (União Geral de Trabalhadores or UGT) has officially approved its policy goals for 2026-2027, which include a demand for the national minimum wage to surpass 1,000 euros by January 2027. This target aims to exceed the 970-euro threshold previously established in the current tripartite agreement between the government, employers, and unions.
UGT demands national minimum wage exceed 1,000 euros
Thursday, 1 October 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.
