Portugal public sector labor strikes

In early October, approximately 350,000 public administration workers in Portugal engaged in a widespread strike that disrupted essential services. The industrial action impacted education, healthcare, and municipal operations, leading to school closures in regions such as Alto Alentejo and Vila Nova de Gaia, as well as the postponement of surgeries and consultations at major hospitals. Protesters marched to the Ministry of Finance to demand salary increases and the revocation of the SIADAP performance evaluation system.

By mid-October, further industrial action was organized by the National Union of Education Professionals (SINAPE) and the National Union of Workers of the State, Municipalities, and Public or Social Entities (STMO). This 24-hour national strike by non-teaching staff, including operational and technical assistants, threatened the continued closure of schools and kindergartens. Because the strike was scheduled for the full workday without minimum services, school administrations warned they could not guarantee normal operations or safety conditions.

On October 18, the strike resulted in widespread disruptions, causing the closure of approximately 1,370 schools across regions including Lisbon, Coimbra, Setúbal, Leiria, Aveiro, Viseu, and the Algarve. This figure represents about 25% of the country’s educational establishments. Sinape leader Francisco Pinto reported an estimated 80% participation rate among operational assistants, technical assistants, and specialized technicians. The union is demanding professional recognition and career progression, describing current working conditions as “precarious” and citing a lack of functional recognition within the public administration.