🏛️ Labour negotiations stall as general strike looms in Portugal

Oneliner

Negotiations over Portugal's Labour Code have stalled, leading the UGT and CGTP unions to call for a general strike on 11 December 2025. Key issues include proposed changes to parental leave and worker rights, which unions argue favor large companies. Labour Minister Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho is making last-ditch efforts to negotiate with the unions, but dissatisfaction with the government's proposals persists. The outcome of these negotiations is critical for labor relations in Portugal.

Key points

• UGT and CGTP plan a general strike on 11 December 2025 due to stalled negotiations.
• Key issues include changes to parental leave, breastfeeding provisions, and worker rights.
• Labour Minister Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho is making last-ditch efforts to avert the strike.
• The government’s revised proposal has not satisfied union demands, leading to continued tensions.

Links

• Rádio Renascença: O que querem UGT e CGTP com a greve geral? Patrões respeitam, mas lamentam "entropia" nas negociações
• Expresso: Lei laboral: até onde está o Governo disposto a ir para travar a greve geral?
• Rádio Renascença: Rita Garcia Pereira sobre Código do Trabalho: Mudanças na lei da greve "podem ser contrárias à Constituição"

Facts

• General strike planned for 11 December 2025.
• Over a hundred articles of the Labour Code are under negotiation.
• UGT and CGTP have not reached an agreement with the government.
• Labour Minister Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho is leading negotiations.

Quotes

• The government’s new document merely symbolises that it does not want the UGT to leave the table — Mário Mourão
• The outcome of the entire process rests with the Government — Tiago Oliveira

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