Portugal's Labour Reform Faces Large Street Protest

On June 18, thousands of workers gathered outside the Assembly of the Republic in Lisbon as parliament debated the government's labour reform package. The protest, organized by the CGTP‑IN trade‑union federation and supported by the União dos Sindicatos da Madeira (USAM), featured chants such as “Não vamos desistir, o pacote é para cair” and “Ninguém quis, ninguém quis, o pacote do Luís”.

The ruling coalition, represented by Labour Minister Rosário Palma Ramalho, argued the changes aim to boost productivity and competitiveness while “strengthening rights”. Opposition parties including PCP and Bloco de Esquerda joined the demonstration; UGT stayed out of the streets but sent representatives to the parliamentary gallery. USAM called the proposal “one of the gravest social attacks of recent decades”, warning it could increase precariousness and undermine collective bargaining.