Tiago Petinga / Lusa
Luís Marques Mendes recommended that the executive led by Luís Montenegro reach understandings on the new labor laws with the unions; and left a warning: “We run the risk of losing social peace”.
CGTP and UGT are preparing, for December 11th, the first general strike to bring together the two unions, since June 2013, when Portugal was under intervention by the troika.
In an interview with, Luís Marques Mendes called on the Government to negotiate with the unions, even if it is after the general strike.
The presidential candidate and former leader of the PSD considers that this “It’s a very delicate situation”.
“On the one hand, the Government understands that there is a need to review labor legislation, it has every right. On the other hand, there are trade unions that want to carry out a general strike, they have every right to do so. I wanted to do this this week I appeal to the Government and UGT to dialogue“, these.
“I think that UGT is a trade union center that deserves attention and respect and sensitivity. It’s not just because it is a democratic trade union center, it’s because it has already shown a great sense of responsibility in the past in making several agreements and, therefore, it has already proven itself”, he considered.
The social democrat considered that if legislation is made without a social agreement it runs “immense risks”: “therefore, would recommend to the Government as much openness as possible to negotiate, even if it is until after the strike.”
If the Government does not want to negotiate, “We run the risk of losing social peace”.
“We must guarantee social peace (…) Modern governance is carried out in partnership. It is with authority, but it is not with authoritarianism. It is with a reformist will, but not with an imbalance. We have to combat social imbalances, which are very large and very serious. And this is done by mobilizing everyone, not pitting one against the other”, concludes the candidate for President of the Republic.
