Miguel A. Lopes / Lusa
The Minister of Labor, Solidarity and Social Security, Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho
The proposal had already fallen in March due to opposition from unions, but has now been recovered by the government.
The Government once again introduced changes to the proposed revision of labor legislation that had already fallen due to divergences with social partners, in particular with UGT.
At issue is the possibility of companies resorting to fixed-term contracts on the basis that a worker never having had a permanent contracta measure that had already been rejected in previous negotiations.
According to the most recent document presented to the Permanent Commission for Social Coordination (CPCS), dated April 6, the Executive retreats from extending the duration of fixed-term contracts for three years, one of the most contested measures by the UGT. However, it restores a rule that allows companies to fill permanent jobs with workers who have never had an open-ended contract.
This solution was already included in the initial version of the work package, presented in July last year, but had been removed in the March proposal after union opposition. The reintroduction of the measure is once again generating opposition, with the UGT considering that this option could increase the precariousness of work, mainly affecting young people, the unemployed and older workers.
On the other hand, the Government chose to eliminate from the proposal the possibility of fixed-term hiring in calamity situations officially declared, an idea that had been defended by the Portuguese Business Confederation (CIP). The withdrawal of this rule represents a concession in the face of criticism from various sectors.
The document also maintains the vacation regime unchanged, without including the three additional days associated with attendance that had been previously discussed.
The Minister of Labor, Rosário Palma Ramalho, recently stated that the conditions for reach an agreement “in the next few days”only admitting the need for “small adjustments” in some points.
Even so, the UGT considers that significant divergences persist and are far from a final understanding. “There are matters on which It has not yet been possible to reach a consensus“, said Mário Mourão, at the end of this Friday’s meeting. The union central’s final decision on the proposal should be taken after the national secretariat meeting, scheduled for next Thursday.
This Friday’s negotiations took place at the same time that thousands of people participated in CGTP protest actionsthe largest trade union center in the country, which was excluded from negotiations by the Government. The protests arose following the general strike that had already taken place in December against the labor package.
