Antônio Cotrim / EPA
CGTP-IN march against labor reform
Between the Government that uses forms of discussion “completely on the sidelines”, and the lamentation of “untimely calls”.
A meeting this Wednesday was called for 3:00 pm on Ministry of LaborSolidarity and Social Security (MTSSS), in Lisbon. It was about the news – but did not count on none of the largest trade unions: CGTP e UGT.
The general secretary of CGTP accused the Government of trying to remove the inter-union from the discussion of changes to labor law and of using forms of discussion “completely on the sidelines” of what has been the conduct of negotiation processes.
The UGT had announced in the morning that it would not participate in the meeting, considering it “untimely” and regretting its disclosure when it informed the Government in a timely manner of its unavailability on this date.
“This is a clear precipitation given the need, in meetings of this nature, to agree dates and agenda with the other interlocutors”, denounces the center in a note, highlighting that it would be absent due to “agenda issues”.
Speaking to Lusa, the general secretary of CGTP confirms that the trade union center “was not called for any type of meeting” nor has it been for the technical meetings that have taken place to discuss changes in labor legislation.
“We haven’t been called up for anything”says Tiago Oliveira, noting that this Government position reveals “the attempt to remove CGTP from this entire process” and to have “a well-established political objective”, by wanting to “profoundly alter labor relations”, “profoundly” attacking workers’ rights.
“That’s why, [o Governo] is following this path of trying, for lanes, to reach its destination”, indicates the general secretary of CGTP, adding that the executive “deals very poorly with opinions that are contrary to what this Government’s objective is”.
The Minister of Labor has reiterated that the CGTP has, from the beginning, been on the sidelines of the negotiations, which are taking place within the scope of the Social Concertation.
Speaking to Lusa, Tiago Oliveira once again reject the criticisms, remembering that the trade union federation presented a counter-proposal to the preliminary project presented in July by the Government on September 3rd with “concrete proposals”, which aim in particular to “value work, in the sense of reducing working hours for workers”, combat precariousness and the “devaluation of collective bargaining” and “improve paternity and maternity conditions”.
“This was evident throughout the entire process. It is even clear when the Government says that it is open to negotiating and discussing, and then, when it actually has to do so, it arranges these forms of discussion, which are completely outside of everything that has been the conduct of processes, consultation with social partners, construction of alternatives”, he adds.
Tiago Oliveira also signals that “the workers’ struggle will continue”, remembering the national demonstration that will take place in Lisbon and Porto the next day February 28th.
Delegations from the Business Confederation of Portugal (CIP), Confederation of Commerce and Services of Portugal (CCP), Confederation of Farmers of Portugal (CAP) and Confederation of Portuguese Tourism (CTP) were therefore present at the meeting.
Meanwhile, a new meeting was announced to Monday, the 23rd, on the same subject. The Minister of Labor summoned the UGT and the four business confederations; this time, the UGT accepted.
