Latest news and stories about collective bargaining in Portugal for expats and residents.
The UGT has submitted a detailed counterproposal for the revision of labour laws, highlighting key 'red lines' on various issues including hours banks, fixed-term contracts, and collective bargaining. The union asserts that the current proposals are unacceptable and outlines its stance on critical topics such as dismissals, outsourcing, and union activities within companies.
Workers accuse the confederation of revising the collective labour agreement behind the backs of unions affiliated with the CGTP.
Dramatisation and negotiation efforts defined the day as the Government, employers, and the UGT returned to the table in a final attempt to reach a labour reform agreement. Following a four-hour meeting, partners reported greater flexibility and significant progress. While a tripartite deal remains uncertain, it would be a major breakthrough for a project once considered dead, with António José Seguro credited for the mediation. While the President of the Republic encouraged the UGT to remain in negotiations, the CGTP staged a protest outside the Ministry of Labour, claiming their exclusion violates the Constitution. The Minister of Labour argued that the CGTP sidelined itself by refusing to negotiate unless the draft was scrapped. Meanwhile, progress was made on key issues, including potential improvements to overtime pay, extending the minimum duration of fixed-term contracts to one year, and clarifying rules on outsourcing following collective redundancies.
The CGTP trade union confederation has requested an urgent meeting with President António José Seguro to express its deep concern over the government's proposed labour reforms. The union argues that the measures represent an attack on workers' rights, facilitate dismissals, and undermine collective bargaining. While the government seeks to reach an agreement with social partners, the CGTP claims it has been excluded from the negotiation process, which it describes as a violation of constitutional rights. Meanwhile, business confederations and the UGT union remain divided on the proposed changes, as the President calls for a balanced solution.
Freight drivers and industry associations have reached an agreement on the revision of the collective labour agreement (CCTV), which will be signed this Tuesday, the unions representing these professionals announced.
The Works Council and the management of Volkswagen Autoeuropa have reached a provisional labour agreement, effective until June 2027, which includes pay increases with a minimum of €100 and the strengthening of social benefits.
The president of ANSG says the law on associational rights has not been revised for 21 years and urges a review that prioritises collective bargaining and the creation of GNR trade unions.
'It's a long proposal. We now have to convene the union's governing bodies to revise the proposal so it can be submitted to the Government,' said Sérgio Monte.
FESAP and STE, public-sector unions that today signed the agreement with the Government to improve workers' conditions, highlighted the 'predictability' it provides while saying they remain willing to continue negotiating.
The Government will sign on Wednesday with public service unions the 2026–2029 Multi-year Agreement to enhance the status and conditions of public administration workers, the executive announced today.
The plenary will be held in the Sitava auditorium in Olivais and will also be used for the unions to present the negotiation proposal for pay scales sent on 30 December.
The meeting is expected to be attended by Fnam's new president, André Gomes. Doctors' pay and working conditions will be topics for discussion.
The minister said the CGTP trade union confederation withdrew itself from negotiations over the proposed labour reform.
Portugal's main trade union confederation, CGTP, says it does not rule out calling another strike over the labour package.
Employers and unions in the restaurant and hotel sectors have agreed average pay rises of around 5% to take effect in 2026.
João Proença, former leader of UGT, criticises the undermining of collective bargaining and states that the project is “100% unbalanced” because it “threatens job security” and “increases precariousness.”
