On May Day, Labour Day, workers took to the streets all over the Country in a highly expressive and determined show of strength. They made it abundantly clear that they reject the labour reforms proposed by the Government and employers, refusing to accept any rollbacks or the removal of their rights. They demanded better wages to counter the rising cost of living. They demanded the decent life to which they and their families are entitled.

A flood of people filled the streets of Lisbon today, from Saldanha to the Assembly of the Republic, in a powerful show of strength by those who work and will not accept setbacks. Whilst they gather in offices to hammer out the details of further exploitation, the workers, called by the CGTP-IN, take to the streets to say, “enough is enough”. Enough of poverty wages. Enough of job precariousness. Enough of measures such as the “hour bank” that steal time and rights.

However much propaganda, deceit and announcements there may be, the truth is that Portugal is no better off and life for the majority is worse. Rising prices and the cost of living, low wages and pensions, the deterioration of public services, and difficult lives in stark contrast to the record profits of economic groups and multinationals – this is the real Country.