Latest news and stories about trade unions in Portugal for expats and residents.
The UGT has rejected the government's latest labour reform proposal, citing limited progress and unacceptable terms, while political commentators urge further negotiation to avoid legislative deadlock.
The UGT has admitted it may move towards a new general strike. However, the trade union centre stated that it will only consider this once negotiations within the social dialogue council have concluded.
The government's proposed labour law reform is set to be rejected by the UGT trade union, shifting the negotiation process to Parliament. With the UGT refusing to endorse measures it views as regressive, the government is likely to seek an agreement with the Chega party. This shift grants Chega significant influence, allowing the party to position itself as a mediator that 'softens' the legislation while appealing to its electoral base. Meanwhile, President António José Seguro is expected to allow the process to proceed provided it remains within constitutional bounds, further marginalising traditional trade unions in the legislative process.
The trade union federation states that negotiations are still ongoing as of 7 PM.
The UGT trade union expresses dissatisfaction with the current proposal being discussed.
The Minister of Labour points out that the outcome of this negotiation process “depends only on the UGT's decision” and expresses hope that the trade union centre “will know how to honour its tradition of compromise”.
The decision regarding the labour package will only be made after the trade union federation's meeting. Also in this edition, Kanye West's concert in Poland cancelled due to the artist's antisemitic remarks.
The Union of Independent Trade Unions (USI) stated this Wednesday that it will request a declaration of unconstitutionality regarding the legislation that prevents the trade union structure from being represented in the Standing Committee for Social Concertation (CPCS), where labour reform is negotiated, expressing regret over not having a seat. The USI is the third-largest trade union centre, founded about 30 years ago, but...
The government and the UGT have already met 53 times, but there is still no agreement. The trade union centre rejects the current labour package proposal and guarantees that there is no progress in negotiations. And did TAP fly low?
This is information gathered by Observador. The Executive is confident that the trade union federation will change its position. Also, the conflict in the Middle East and the return of Artemis II.
The cabin crew union states that groups interested in the privatisation of TAP were imposed with a prohibition on contacting workers' representative structures.
Dozens of people demonstrated outside the Ministry of Labour in Lisbon
The CGTP trade union confederation is unable to take part in the Social Concertation meeting.
CNN Portugal commentator Margarida Davim analyses the progress of negotiations regarding the labour package, which have been dragging on for seven months but, according to the trade union centres, have very little to do with actual negotiation.
The trade union federation criticises its exclusion from the labour package negotiations and will be at the ministry at the time scheduled for the meeting between the Government, UGT, and the four business confederations.
The CGTP trade union federation decided to participate in the meeting with business associations and the UGT union despite not receiving an official invitation.
The CGTP trade union federation insists on participating in the debate regarding changes to labour legislation.
The trade union federation does not accept the 'attempted exclusion' from negotiations and reinforces that 'no process is valid with exclusion'.
In an interview with RTP, Mário Mourão stated that he had not received “any communication from the Government”. After negotiations for the labour package ended without an agreement, the UGT secretary-general guarantees that if “there is any intransigence” it is not on the part of the trade union centre.
Changes proposed by the Government in July were met with a 'no' from the trade union centres, which consider the changes an attack on workers' rights.
The president of ANSG said he would file a complaint in the courts against the Portuguese State, arguing that the Constitution “does not prohibit trade union freedom for GNR military personnel”.
The statements come one day after Luís Montenergo met with the CGTP.
The prime minister is willing to “receive proposals and contributions” on the revision of the labour law, rejecting that the Government's proposal represents any “civilisational regression” and that the Executive is handling this process with “arrogance”. One day after meeting the CGTP about the labour law revision, Luís Montenegro presided this Wednesday, at the residence ...
The coordinator of the Left Bloc today appealed for unity between the two trade union centres against the proposed changes to labour law that “reduce wages and the time people have to live”, and accused the Government of ostracising parts of the trade union movement.
The Left Bloc took part in Tuesday's demonstration and said that only with 'a very strong movement' can the government led by Montenegro be challenged in discussions over the labour package.
CGTP and UGT held a general strike on 11 December 2025 against the Government's proposal, the fifth to bring together the two trade union centres.
Rosário Palma Ramalho wants to know 'what the CGTP wants' ahead of Tuesday's protest. The social dialogue meeting will be scheduled 'shortly' after having been postponed at the request of some partners.
The minister said the CGTP trade union confederation withdrew itself from negotiations over the proposed labour reform.
A majority say the trade unions are doing well and that the law favours employers. Those surveyed argue the way forward is not to make it easier to dismiss public sector workers.
The labour law was discussed in Parliament, with parties disagreeing on the legitimacy of the general strike scheduled for next week. The left refers to a return to the 'old agenda of the right'. The parties supporting the government again point fingers at the trade unions.
