Portugal Prime Minister Dismisses December Strike as Political Pretext Amid Labor Reform Debate
A planned general strike on December 11th is being framed by Portugal’s Prime Minister as a politically motivated act, despite assurances of ongoing negotiations and positive economic indicators.
The Prime Minister on Friday characterized the upcoming general strike as a “pretext,” arguing that conditions are ripe for an agreement on the proposed labor reforms. During a parliamentary debate, he questioned the rationale behind the strike action, emphasizing that the government presented its objectives to social partners as early as July 24th and remains open to discussion. “The question that arises, and it is serious, is this: why a general strike?” he stated, accusing opposition forces of seeking justification where none exists.
According to the Prime Minister, the strike is fueled by those unwilling to compromise – specifically citing the CGTP, a major trade union – and others who have been misled. He maintained that the proposed labor legislation aims to foster economic growth, employment, and higher wages, and that a consensus is within reach.
The Prime Minister highlighted several economic achievements as evidence against the need for industrial action. He reported that average worker income rose by 6.7 percent in 2024 – the largest increase within the OECD – driven by wage increases and tax reductions. He also noted a decreasing tax burden and the anticipated rise in the national minimum wage following the approval of the 2026 State Budget.
However, opposition parties have voiced strong criticism of the proposed reforms. Members of the PSD argued that the current government has created a more favorable tax environment for workers and businesses, contrasting this with the previous eight years under the Socialist Party. They advised the opposition to carefully review the Democratic Alliance’s electoral program for a clear understanding of the proposed changes.
Beyond labor reform, the parliamentary session touched upon a range of critical issues. André Ventura, leader of the Chega party, challenged the Prime Minister to demonstrate the value of the Minister of Health, citing concerns over healthcare access and waiting times. Ventura pointed to a “million and a half” citizens without a family doctor and a 20 percent increase in surgery wait times. The Prime Minister responded by highlighting positive trends in reducing waiting times and increasing access to family doctors.
Concerns were also raised regarding tuition fees, with accusations that the government is penalizing young people. The Prime Minister defended the 13-euro increase as a “fair measure.”
The Socialist Party accused the government of misrepresenting its tax policies, specifically regarding a reduction in the ISP discount and potential VAT reductions on food products. Furthermore, discrepancies were noted regarding the projected Social Security balance.
Other parties raised concerns about bureaucratic inefficiencies, with the Liberal Initiative stating the government is “drowning in layers of bureaucracy.” Livre accused the government of intransigence and arrogance, while the PCP criticized the proposed labor reforms as potentially mirroring an “American-style” model.
A separate issue arose with the CDS-PP condemning the broadcast of a program on RTP (Portugal’s public broadcaster) featuring “transgender sex symbols,” labeling it as “pure propaganda of gender ideology.” The Prime Minister expressed regret over the broadcast but clarified his limited authority over the station’s programming.
Finally, the Prime Minister accused the Bloco party of attempting to divert attention from the core issues, asserting that their concerns are a tactic to prevent any meaningful change. The PAN party called for a dedicated Council of Ministers to address domestic violence, following a recent high-profile incident. The Prime Minister expressed his agreement with this call and highlighted new measures to combat domestic violence, emphasizing the severity of the crime and the importance of victim support.
