Health Inspectorate to analyse nationality requirement in recruitment competitions

The General Inspectorate for Health Activities (IGAS) is to investigate the nationality requirement imposed by the Lisbon Western Local Health Unit (ULSLO) in its recruitment processes. The inspector-general, António Carapeto, confirmed the review after reports that the unit was unlawfully requiring Portuguese nationality for private-law contracts, potentially misleading candidates. Legal experts, including Maria Antónia Beleza, argue that the practice is discriminatory and legally incoherent, as it confuses residency and visa requirements with nationality status, potentially deterring qualified applicants.

Impacts of the war return to São Bento. Montenegro faces a fortnightly debate

The war in the Middle East and the resulting energy crisis are topics that will be at the centre of the fortnightly debate. It is expected that changes to labour law will also be addressed by the opposition in the Assembly of the Republic.

CGTP accuses Government of excluding the largest trade union centre from labour package negotiations

Dozens of people demonstrated outside the Ministry of Labour in Lisbon

Education Ministry cuts staff by half in digital reform

Sitava admits challenging airport handling tender to defend workers

Sitava, the Union of Aviation and Airport Workers, is considering legal action to challenge the airport handling tender won by the Clece/South consortium, aiming to protect workers' interests. The union criticises the lack of provisions for the transfer of staff and existing company agreements, labelling the process as ideologically driven and potentially damaging to airport operations. Meanwhile, Menzies has already filed an injunction in the Lisbon Administrative and Tax Court, citing concerns over the tender's structure, operational requirements, and the lack of a robust transition framework for employees.

Artistic education teachers take to the streets to end precarious employment

Around fifty teachers from the António Arroio Artistic School in Lisbon are protesting this Tuesday, March 17, against precarious employment contracts, with a similar demonstration taking place in Porto. “António Arroio and Soares dos Reis in the same fight” is one of the signs visible today in front of the artistic school in Lisbon, where teachers of specialized visual and audiovisual arts are gathered. At issue is the precarious professional situation of about 200 teachers from the country's two artistic schools who have been teaching subjects like cinema or performing arts for years but remain without a recruitment group that would allow them to obtain permanent tenure, Fenprof secretary-general José Feliciano Costa told Lusa.

Menzies files injunction to challenge ground handling tender

The company states that it disagrees with the design of the tender process and the way it was conducted.

Lisboa Ocidental Health Unit demands Portuguese nationality in recruitment competitions. Lawyers say the practice is illegal

The Lisboa Ocidental Local Health Unit (ULSLO) is facing accusations of illegality for requiring Portuguese nationality in recruitment notices for roles governed by private labour law. Legal experts argue that this requirement is discriminatory and contradicts both the Labour Code and European Union law, potentially deterring foreign candidates. While the health unit claims it follows legal requirements and exceptions, lawyers maintain that the reference to public service laws in private contract procedures is incoherent and unlawful.

Labour reform is closer than ever. Tuesdays in Belém

There is optimism regarding the labour package. Seguro changed the day of the meeting with Montenegro to foster “strategic cooperation”. Trump says “I can do whatever I want”, but has no solution for Hormuz.

The "different attitude" in negotiating what separates UGT and the Government

One week was enough to change the course of negotiations on the labour package. Partners are no longer at odds and are making a new effort to “align” the points that almost broke off the dialogue.

Unions available to negotiate overtime with ULS

SMZS–FNAM highlights that there are overtime hours that have remained unpaid since last year or even two years ago, adding that they want a deadline established for workers to begin being paid.

Lisboa Ocidental Health Unit workers threaten strike if administration fails to comply with the law

Medical staff, nurses, and administrative workers at the Lisboa Ocidental Local Health Unit (ULSLO) are threatening industrial action following the disappearance of thousands of overtime hours from the computer system. Unions representing the staff have scheduled a meeting with the administration for the 19th to address long-standing issues, including unpaid overtime, career progression delays, and failures in performance evaluation systems. If negotiations fail, workers have approved a motion to proceed with a strike. Meanwhile, the Health Inspectorate is investigating the unit's Human Resources department regarding the legality of recent hiring practices.

CGTP brought protesters, but did not attend the meeting

In front of the Ministry of Labour, Tiago Oliveira guaranteed that it is not the CGTP that is sidelining itself, but that it is being excluded from the negotiation process for the labour package.

CGTP criticises Government's "democratic attack" and promises that "the fight will continue"

The Ministry of Labour indicated that the Government showed willingness for a subsequent meeting with the CGTP.

Labour law: CGTP criticises Government's "democratic attack" and promises that "the fight will continue"

The secretary-general of the CGTP trade union federation accused the Government of a “democratic attack” for excluding the union from discussions on labour law reforms. Tiago Oliveira stated the process is “riddled with disrespect” and vowed that the struggle will continue. While dozens of protesters gathered outside the Ministry of Labour, the Government indicated it would be available for a separate meeting with the CGTP later. The union leader also announced plans to request an urgent meeting with the President of the Republic, António José Seguro, and noted that the union's National Council will meet on Wednesday to discuss further forms of protest.

15:00 CGTP at the Ministry of Labour's door without having been summoned

The CGTP trade union gathered at the Ministry of Labour at 3:00 PM despite not receiving an official invitation for a meeting.

3 PM. Labour Package. CGTP stages protest at the Ministry

The CGTP is present at the Ministry of Labour, as previously promised. The PS has once again requested the postponement of the submission of candidacies and the elections for the external bodies of the Assembly of the Republic.

Government meets today with UGT and employers to resume negotiations on labour law

The meeting is scheduled for 3:00 PM at the Ministry of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security (MTSSS) in Lisbon.

Government meets today with UGT and employers to resume labour law negotiations

CGTP to visit ministry on Monday despite not being invited

A CGTP delegation will travel to the Ministry of Labour on Monday, at the scheduled time of the meeting between the Government, UGT, and the four business confederations, to 'reaffirm proposals and solutions for labour legislation'. A CGTP-IN delegation will present itself at the Ministry of Labour next Monday at 15:00 to reaffirm its proposals and solutions.

Confederations available to return to labour law negotiations, UGT says it never left

Who is Rosário Palma Ramalho?

Rosário Palma Ramalho is Portugal’s Minister of Labour, responsible for labour policy, workplace regulation and negotiations with trade unions. Her statements today about the CGTP withdrawing from labour reform talks matter because they affect negotiation dynamics and can influence strikes or demonstrations that may disrupt public services and workplaces.

What is General Union of Workers (UGT)?

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.

CGTP protests in Lisbon for equality between women and men

Protests against the government's labour package mark Saturday

Union says Lisbon Firefighters Regiment faces 'utter disarray'

Supreme Administrative Court sides with scientists in appeal against university, ordering it to open competition for career entry