Latest news and stories about labour rights in Portugal for expats and residents.
A report by the Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (Grupo de Peritos sobre a Ação contra o Tráfico de Seres Humanos or GRETA) warns that migrant workers in the agricultural sector are at high risk of exploitation. Between 2021 and 2024, authorities recorded 690 presumed victims, leading experts to call for stronger labor inspections and better victim support.
Minister of Labour Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho is meeting this Monday with business confederations and the General Workers' Union (União Geral de Trabalhadores or UGT) to discuss labour law reforms. This marks the 53rd meeting between the government and social partners as they attempt to reach an agreement on contract and dismissal regulations. The UGT is expected to analyze the proposed changes during its upcoming national secretariat meeting.
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.
Cultural mediators from the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) are striking at the Government headquarters in Lisbon to demand permanent employment status and salary equality, protesting the ministry's reliance on precarious labor.
Security force agents gathered at Largo de Camões are demanding better wages and working conditions, stating that Minister Luís Neves lacks the “political weight” to fulfill his promises.
The Police Professionals Union Association (ASPP/PSP) and the Guard Professionals Association (APG/GNR) are holding a demonstration in Lisbon this Thursday to demand salary increases, career revisions, and improvements in working conditions.
CGTP states that it is necessary to “raise the level of the struggle,” but does not commit to an Iberian general strike on November 11th requested by the promoters of the housing protest encampment.
Due to the level of attendance, the square ended up being too small, forcing people to stand on the adjacent pavements to watch the speeches.
Around two hundred nurses at the IPO in Coimbra are missing retroactive payments relating to the period between 2018 and 2021. They have already admitted to considering legal action.
The Association of Police Professionals’ Unions (ASPP/PSP) is today holding the first of several protest actions planned for different parts of the country – at a time when negotiations between The post Police stage first of “several protest actions planned” in Porto appeared first on Portugal Resident.
The Lusa Workers' Committee (CT) appealed to parliament again this Tuesday for a review of the agency's current statutes, arguing that 'editorial independence and a governance model distanced from political power' are not guaranteed. During a hearing at the Committee on Culture, Communication, Youth and Sport, for general consideration of...
Following the failures that delayed agendas and forced the correction of grades for thousands of students, the SPZN is calling for system improvements and adequate remuneration for graders.
Leading an institution is easy when things go well, but the true test lies in making difficult decisions and facing scrutiny. In a democratic society, transparency and accountability are essential for all institutions, including trade unions. The SNQTB remains committed to its mission of representing workers and defending their rights with independence and duty. A recent example of this responsibility is the union's initiative to protect the pensions of retired bank employees, which has successfully brought the issue to the Assembly of the Republic. Despite internal differences, the union continues to focus on its core values, ensuring that decisions are made with the well-being of its members in mind.
Renault Group is undergoing a major leadership reorganization and efficiency drive to accelerate its 'futuREady' strategic plan. While the restructuring aims to streamline operations and cut engineering costs globally, it is creating significant labour tension at the Horse Aveiro plant in Portugal. Although the plant operates as an independent entity, the pressure to reduce production costs and increase operational flexibility is straining industrial relations, leading to protests and union opposition against proposed changes to working hours and labour rights.
Fenprof criticises the administrative decision to reduce vacancies for 2nd cycle Portuguese and French teachers, who are being replaced by other teachers qualified to teach the subject.
The National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Personnel (SNPVAC) considered today that the parliamentary rejection of the Government's proposal to revise labour legislation represents “a victory for workers” and a defeat for the executive. In a statement sent to members, to which Lusa had access, the union states that, “after a year...
The discussion of the proposal is scheduled for June 18th. Additionally, Pedro Proença believes that the Portuguese national team has quality and good players.
The Secretary-General of the PCP warned workers today, regarding next week's general strike, that “it is not the time to wait,” and accused the Minister of Labour of “avoiding the debate” because the labour package “is indefensible.”
Reaffirming that the PCP does not accept the proposals of the new labour package, Paulo Raimundo said that the document “is rejected” and “was rejected on December 11th during the general strike”.
At issue is the complaint made by the Lusa Workers' Committee, which stated it had been the target of intimidating behaviour by an employee from the office of the Minister of the Presidency.
The population marched from the hospital to the Castelo Branco City Hall. Protesters believe the day should be marked and that “rights must be earned”.
Dozens of TVDE platform drivers protested this Wednesday in front of the Assembly of the Republic. They are demanding fare increases and fuel subsidies. They also contest the possibility of taxis being included in the sector.
The UGT trade union is set to determine its definitive stance regarding the proposed labour legislation today at 10:00.
Universities and polytechnics are operating with more working hours than they report to the course accreditation agency, the National Union of Higher Education (SNESup) denounced this Monday, reporting structural precariousness and an “invisible overload” for lecturers. Without providing specifics, SNESup stated that in the vast majority of institutions, there are courses that operate...
The secretary-general of the CGTP trade union confederation, Tiago Oliveira, has accused the government led by Luís Montenegro of attempting to negotiate labour law changes “on the sly” by excluding the CGTP from meetings. Oliveira insists that discussions must take place within the Social Concertation forum, rejecting the government's “parallel meetings” with the UGT and business confederations. The CGTP leader labelled the process “undemocratic” and “unconstitutional,” warning that all forms of protest, including a potential general strike, remain on the table ahead of a scheduled demonstration on April 17.
Right of reply from Joana Bordalo e Sá to an opinion piece published on 18 March 2026 in the print and online editions of PÚBLICO.
It is incomprehensible why the oversight body is so resistant to listening to ASFIC/PJ.
For the PCP secretary-general, the fact that the Government is leaving the CGTP out of negotiations on the labour package is a “gross violation of the Constitution”. Even though it was not invited, the CGTP will be present at the Ministry of Labour this Monday.
Workers' representatives from RTP and Lusa expressed concern over the future of these media outlets, criticizing the Portuguese government for lacking transparency regarding potential plans to merge the two companies. They highlighted uncertainties about the impact on editorial independence, institutional autonomy, and the quality of public broadcasting. The unions and editorial councils called for ongoing dialogue and urged workers to participate in upcoming protests in Lisbon and Porto to defend the independence and stability of public media.
In a joint statement, the workers' committees pointed to the “lack of information that should be clear and definitive from the Government regarding the potential consolidation of Lusa and RTP into a shared space.”
The trade union federation intends to present its critical assessment of the current situation and warn of the Government's disregard for constitutional rights, reiterating the demand for the withdrawal of the labour package.
The article reports on a protest by workers at Lusa, Portugal's national news agency, who are expressing concerns over potential political interference in their work. Despite their objections, the government has not made any concessions. The workers are emphasizing the importance of journalistic independence and integrity amid fears of external influence on their reporting.
