A total of 11,000 companies have applied for exemption from the Single Social Tax (TSU), amounting to an estimated 200 million euros in total.

More than a hundred people demonstrated in downtown Lisbon, organized by CGTP, to demand gender equality and oppose a labor package perceived to worsen women's working conditions. The protest featured slogans advocating for equal pay and rights, with participants highlighting ongoing disparities in the workplace. CGTP leaders emphasized the need for legislative changes to uphold constitutional rights for women, especially in light of the upcoming International Women's Day.

The Ministry of Labour is currently negotiating with employers and unions to find an alternative to the turnover tax aimed at combating labour precariousness. This tax has not been implemented due to regulatory issues. An official from the Ministry confirmed that discussions are ongoing to address this matter.

The proposed reform of the Code of Criminal Procedure threatens to impose financial penalties on lawyers for actions deemed 'manifestly unfounded' by judges, creating a two-tier criminal justice system that disproportionately impacts less affluent citizens. With fines ranging from €204 to €10,200, and potential disciplinary actions for repeat offenses, this legislation undermines legal certainty and fairness, ultimately jeopardizing the right to a fair trial.

The Government has actively engaged in revising labour law, presenting a draft bill on 24 July and reconvening the Permanent Commission for Social Dialogue in September. Following several meetings with business confederations and the UGT, a significant meeting is scheduled for 3 March to further discuss the labour law reform, indicating ongoing negotiations and collaboration among stakeholders.

Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Lisbon and Porto to protest against the government's proposed changes to the labour law, known as the 'Work XXI' reform. Led by the CGTP union, the protests highlighted concerns that the reforms would negatively impact workers' rights. CGTP's Secretary-General, Tiago Oliveira, called for the government to withdraw the labour package, emphasizing its detrimental effects on the workforce.

A recent meeting involving the Minister of Labour, employers, and the UGT has concluded with some progress in certain areas, despite a lack of full agreement among partners regarding labour law reforms. The discussions highlighted ongoing challenges in reaching a consensus on key policies affecting workers' rights and the expat community.

The Labour Package represents a regression to 19th-century laws, raising concerns about its implications for modern policy and rights.

The revision of the Labour Code is viewed as an unforced error, raising concerns about its implications for workers' rights and policy effectiveness.

The issue of fake recibos verdes is a critical concern that transcends political ideologies, emphasizing the need for labor justice. Addressing this problem is essential for ensuring fair labor practices and protecting workers' rights.

Labour Minister Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho has explained the exclusion of the CGTP from recent discussions on new labour legislation, claiming they chose not to negotiate. The CGTP refutes this, asserting they have proposed measures to address workers' rights and precarious employment. They criticize the government's approach, suggesting it favors employers and undermines social dialogue. Key proposals from the CGTP include reducing the workweek, increasing vacation days, and improving job security for vulnerable workers.

Foreign workers now make up 17.6% of Social Security contributors, a significant rise from 4.5% a decade ago. In December 2025, over 840,000 immigrant professionals contributed, reflecting a 5.4-fold increase since December 2015. Total contributions reached over 4.1 billion euros last year, an 8.5-fold increase from 491 million euros a decade earlier. This data, released by the Ministry of Labour, aims to dispel myths about immigrants and their contributions, with Secretary of State Filipa Lima emphasizing the need for transparency in statistics. The dashboard will provide detailed monthly updates on contributions by nationality and age, highlighting a notable increase in contributions from foreign workers, particularly in agriculture, hospitality, administrative services, and construction.

The article critiques the Government's Labour Package, titled Work XXI, arguing it regresses rather than innovates in the realm of work. It emphasizes the need for the Labour Code to adapt to the increasing frequency of extreme weather phenomena, advocating for provisions that protect outdoor workers and clarify absence policies during public calamities. The author calls for a Labour Code that prioritizes safety and preparedness for the challenges of the 21st century, rather than the outdated framework proposed by the Government.

In his analysis, Carlos Rodrigues argues that the public's fatigue is not with the electoral process itself, but rather with the persistent issues that remain unresolved despite repeated elections. He emphasizes the need for effective policies that address the economic and social challenges faced by citizens, suggesting that voters are seeking real solutions rather than just political rhetoric.

The European Parliament's recent approval of the European list of safe countries of origin and clarification of the 'safe third country' concept signifies a pivotal shift in EU migration policy. The reform aims to address the slow and inconsistent asylum system that has left many legitimate claimants in limbo while allowing unfounded claims to drain resources. By establishing clear and uniform rules, the reform seeks to restore legitimacy to the asylum process, ensuring that it remains a pillar of European values while effectively distinguishing between those in genuine need of protection and those seeking economic opportunities. This legislative change is seen as a necessary step to enhance the credibility of the EU and its commitment to humanitarian principles.

The government has promised to provide 100% of gross salaries for laid-off workers and cover 80% of costs for companies, but this commitment lacks legislative backing and clarity on implementation.

The new labour law in Portugal is expected to influence salary improvements, but it may not be the sole factor determining salary increases. In a recent podcast, the president of the Confederation of Commerce and Services of Portugal expressed that the government's expectations regarding the law's impact might have been overly optimistic.

Autoeuropa workers have approved a new labour agreement that will remain in effect until June 2027. The agreement includes salary increases of 2.8% this month and an additional 2.5% next October, along with enhanced social benefits and attendance bonuses.

The CGTP trade union centre has called for the withdrawal of the proposed labour package, citing widespread dissatisfaction among workers as demonstrated by a recent general strike. Despite the pushback, Seguro has indicated that he will not implement the changes in their current form.

The upcoming presidential election on February 8 presents significant challenges for the elected candidate, including addressing the impacts of climate change, such as severe storms, and making critical decisions regarding labor law reforms.

Support for families affected by the storm can reach up to 1074 euros per person. Applications for this support are made online, with Social Security required to respond within five days. Additionally, companies and self-employed individuals have a 30-day window to request a full exemption from social security contributions. However, it is important to note that a 100% salary guarantee during layoff is not included in this support.

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.

Lidl has been fined for unlawfully dismissing a warehouse operator who was found smoking hash during a break. The supermarket chain failed to conduct tests on the substance or the employee, despite having the capability to do so, raising questions about their adherence to labor laws and public safety protocols.