Tens of thousands of protesters marched through Lisbon on Saturday in a massive demonstration against the Portuguese government’s proposed labour reforms, which unions decry as a severe threat to workers’ rights and job security. The event, one of the largest in recent years, underscores deep public discontent with the center-right administration’s economic policies and has sparked plans for a general strike next month.
The protest saw an estimated 100,000 people, according to union organizers, filling Lisbon’s main avenues in a show of force against the planned changes. Media outlets including the Associated Press reported tens of thousands of participants, though official police estimates were not provided. The scale of the mobilization reflected broad opposition across various sectors, with workers from industries such as healthcare, education, and manufacturing joining the rally.
At the core of the dispute are government proposals to make it easier for employers to dismiss workers, outsource jobs to other companies, and limit certain types of compassionate leave. A particularly contentious measure would reduce bereavement leave for women who suffer miscarriages, drawing criticism from women’s rights groups and highlighting the emotional stakes of the reforms. Protesters argued that these changes would erode hard-won labour protections and create precarious working conditions.
The government, led by Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, defends the reforms as necessary to enhance job flexibility and boost productivity in Portugal, one of western Europe’s poorest economies. Officials contend that current labour laws hinder competitiveness and that modernization is essential for attracting investment and stimulating growth. They emphasize that the changes aim to create a more dynamic job market amid global economic challenges.
Union leaders, however, strongly reject this rationale. Tiago Oliveira, general secretary of Portugal’s largest union CGTP, labeled the proposals “one of the greatest attacks ever made against workers” in the country’s history. During the protest, he announced a general strike scheduled for December 11, signaling an escalation in labour unrest and potential disruptions to public services and businesses.
The political context adds complexity, as the labour bill is expected to pass in parliament with support from the far-right Chega party. This alliance has raised concerns among political observers about a shift in Portugal’s governance and the potential normalization of far-right influence in policy-making. The collaboration underscores the government’s reliance on unconventional partnerships to advance its agenda.
Beyond the specific labour law changes, protesters voiced broader economic grievances, including low wages and inequality. Official data shows that over 50% of Portuguese workers earn less than 1,000 euros per month, with the minimum wage at 870 euros. Demonstrators called for higher pay and better living standards, arguing that the reforms would exacerbate economic disparities rather than address root causes of poverty.
Looking ahead, the announced general strike in December suggests that labour tensions will intensify, testing the government’s resolve and the unions’ mobilization capabilities. The outcome could shape Portugal’s economic trajectory and social stability, with implications for similar debates in other European nations facing pressures to reform labour markets.
