AGAINST THE LABOUR PACKAGE
11 Reasons to go on strike
They say that the labour legislation is outdated, but in fact it is a code that began in 2003 (PSD/CDS), continued in 2009 by the PS, and has since undergone 20 amendments? Successive amendments to the labour code, including those made by the PS Government in 2009, have all been imposed against the workers and for the benefit of big bosses. Among these amendments are those imposed by the troika during the period of the pact of aggression and submission, signed by the PS, PSD and CDS, with the support of those who are now in Chega and IL.
1/11
Increased precariousness
Did you know that... The Government wants to extend the grounds for fixed-term contracts and allow them to last even longer, from 2 to 3 years?
More instability in your life: you work today without knowing if you will still have a job tomorrow.
The result: more precariousness, more fear, fewer rights.
What the PCP advocates: a permanent job should correspond to a permanent employment contract.
2/11
Temporary work: they want a permanent regression
Did you know that... Today, if a court considers a temporary employment contract to be illegal, the worker becomes a permanent employee of the company where he actually works?
The Government wants to change this: permanent employment will now be with the temporary employment agency and even then, subject to the uncertainty of changes to facilitate dismissals.
In other words: continued precariousness and the impossibility of joining the companies where you actually work.
What the PCP advocates: presumption of the existence of an employment contract with the company where the service is provided and integration into its staff.
3/11
False self-employment protected by the Government
Did you know that... Currently, when a worker submits 50% of their salary receipts to the same employer, an employment contract is assumed?
The Government wants to increase the limit to 80%!
This makes it more difficult to combat false self-employment and legalises the exploitation of thousands of workers.
What the PCP advocates: combating false self-employment and presuming an employment relationship whenever there are, for example, working hours, hierarchy or work tools that belong to the employer.
4/11
Individual hour bank backfires on workers
Did you know that... Individual hour banks, which had been eliminated by law, will once again be possible through a simple agreement or “acceptance” of company internal regulations?
In practice, workers cannot refuse — they need the job and sign.
This means working longer hours without receiving more pay, with unpredictable schedules and complete deregulation of personal life.
Their time for life, family, rest and leisure is now controlled by their employer.
What the PCP advocates: an end to individual hour banks.
5/11
Group hour bank without consulting workers
Did you know that... Group hour banks no longer require a referendum in the company?
Previously, although there was always pressure, it was left up to the workers to decide. Now it is the employer who imposes it.
Less democracy, more imposition, more working hours for the same wage.
What the PCP advocates: an end to group hour banks.
6/11
Attack on wages (also) via twelfths
Did you know that... The Government wants to allow employers to pay holiday and Christmas bonuses in twelfths again?
This masks low wages, reduces purchasing power and, over time, destroys those two months of pay— inflation swallows them up.
Wages do not increase: it is an accounting trick.
What the PCP advocates: the uncompromising defence of allowances paid in full in the corresponding months and wage increases without accounting manoeuvres.
7/11
Unfair dismissals, at the employer's discretion
Did you know that... The proposal allows employers to prevent workers from being reinstated even when a court rules that there was no just cause for dismissal?
All they have to do is claim that it “affects the functioning of the company”.
This opens the door to dismissals motivated by revenge, persecution or retaliation.
It is “I want, I can and I command” turned into law.
What the PCP advocates: the possibility of reinstatement in the company in the event of unlawful dismissal, at the employee's discretion.
8/11
Fewer rights for families and children
Did you know that... The Government wants to reduce breastfeeding leave and limit flexible working hours, making them subject to the needs of the company?
It wants to force workers who are parents of children under 12 to work at night, on public holidays and at weekends, affecting their ability to look after their children.
The rights of children and families are taking a back seat to employers' interests.
Less time with children, more pressure on mothers and fathers.
What the PCP advocates: more time for the family, more rights for children, a general increase in wages, a reduction in working hours to 35 hours, a reduction of 3 hours of daily work until the child is 2 years old, and 7 months of maternity leave paid at 100%.
9/11
Collective bargaining is the target
Did you know that... Many of our rights are enshrined in collective bargaining agreements?
The proposal facilitates the expiry of collective agreements and allows employers to choose the agreement that applies to their employees?
This destroys decades of achievements and gives employers the power to impose the worst conditions negotiated in other agreements.
It is an attempt to dismantle collective bargaining and the rights it enshrines.
10/11
Limited trade union freedom
Did you know that... The proposal prevents trade unions from meeting with workers in companies without unionised workers or known union members, subjects union information on notice boards to employer authorisation, and extends minimum services in strikes?
It curbs union action and directly attacks the right to strike.
Less organisation - more exploitation.
What the PCP advocates: the promotion of trade union rights as a way of guaranteeing workers' rights and living conditions.
11/11
Labour package, wage cuts
The set of measures presented as modernisation and flexibility (as always) has the fundamental aim of reducing the value of labour pay, lowering wages and obtaining work without paying. A great windfall for big bosses, at the expense of your life, your family, your rest.
This is a package tailored to the big money lords, the big bosses, those who profit from the country's misery, low wages and the destruction of your rights. Every right you have is just a cost to them. The employers ordered it, the government agreed. But we will not give in.
The Government's labour package wraps up almost all the demands of employers from various sectors in a single piece of legislation. It is a labour package commissioned by the big bosses, the only ones who really benefit from the deterioration of our lives and our wages.
↑ Precariousness ↑
↑ Irregular working hours ↑
↑ Easy dismissals ↑
↓ Real wages ↓
↓ Trade union rights ↓