Portugal's UGT Schedules Dec 11 General Strike Over Labor Reform

The Portuguese General Union of Workers (UGT) and its affiliated federation SOJ announced a nationwide general strike for 11 December 2025. The strike is intended to oppose the government's proposed "Work XXI" labour reform, which unions say favours employers, reduces workers' rights and undermines collective bargaining, the right to strike and other union activities.

Separately, the state‑owned news agency Lusa presented a new collective bargaining proposal that would raise salaries by up to €280 per month over four years and increase the transport allowance by €11. The proposal follows a recent Lusa workers' strike on 20 May and has been criticised by journalist and service‑sector unions, which accuse the administration of linking wage raises to a new agreement and of pressuring workers.

Both developments reflect mounting tension in Portugal's labour relations as unions confront government reforms and public‑sector employers over pay and working conditions.