Approaches to Labor Law. Proposal “is very different” (and the attitude too)

There is now “more matter that brings together than what separates” the government from employers and unions, says the minister. The UGT saw “a different attitude” on the part of the Government and the bosses, but “until the agreement is made, there is no agreement”, says the CIP.

The Minister of Labor said this Monday that “there are 80 articles” on changes in labor law “consolidated” and that the proposal under discussion “is quite different from the initial proposal“, having guaranteed that these contributions will be taken to parliament.

“At this stage of the process, 80 articles are already consolidated and, therefore, there is more matter that brings us closer than matter that separates us”, said the Minister of Labor, Rosario Palma Ramalhoafter meeting with UGT and the four business confederations at the Ministry of Labor, in Lisbon.

Palma Ramalho further indicated that the discussion is now around just “10 to 15 standards, which are very important“, refusing, however, to detail “the content” of the measures in question. Therefore, the proposal that is now “on the table is quite different from the initial proposal”, he stressed.

“In fact, it can be said that it is a new proposal and that, therefore, if there is an agreement in Social Concertation, it is this proposal that the Government will take to the Assembly of the Republic”, he added, also highlighting that even if there is no agreement, the Government will “take advantage of contributions” that are received throughout this negotiation process.

The Minister of Labor also reiterated that the executive does not intend to “eternalize” the discussion, but will give “all the space possible” to be able to “reach an agreement” with the partners who are, at the moment, in dialogue” with the executive.

Asked whether she believed an agreement could be reached at the next meeting, she replied: “I would like to, but depends on the dynamics of the meeting“.

“Greater availability” and “different attitude”

Also this Monday, business confederations highlighted that there is a “greater availability” to reach an agreement on changes in labor law, while UGT saw “a different attitude” on the part of the Government and the bosses, there is still “stone to break”.

“It was a good daybecause it seemed like there was a greater willingness to understand each other”, said the president of the Portuguese Business Confederation (CIP), Armindo Monteiroat the end of the meeting between the Government, UGT and the 4 business confederations, highlighting that this availability came from everyone present.

Remembering that This was “meeting number 50” within the scope of the discussion of changes in labor law, the leader of the CIP says that it was possible to make “a lot of progress” in several matters, giving the example of supplementary work.

Asked if he was referring to a possible increase in the limit from 200 to 300 hours per year, Armindo Monteiro only mentioned that on the table is a possible “limit change”as well as “an improvement in worker remuneration”, taking into account “correspond to the effort” requested by UGT to employer confederations.

As regards the term of fixed-term contractsArmindo Monteiro said it was “closed” that they have “a minimum duration of one year“, when the current law stipulates six months, and there is still no consensus on the maximum duration. “What we are trying is for it to have a minimum duration of one year, but with a limit of two and a half”, he highlighted.

The president of the CIP says he is “more optimistic than it was a few weeks ago”, but highlighted that “until the deal is made, there is no deal“.

The president of the Commerce and Services Confederation (CCP) also highlighted that there was “an effort” and it was possible to make “a lot of progress in deepening some points”, even though there is no “closed consensus on all”.

João Viera Lopes He also said that on the part of the confederation, if it is possible to “reach agreement on a large majority of points, including the fundamental points, it is possible to reach an agreement”.