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.

There is a fast deterioration in the living conditions of workers, pensioners and youth. Yet the growing difficulties that the workers and people face every day stand in stark contrast to the record profits made by economic groups.

Inequalities in Portugal are worsening – 1% of the Portuguese population holds almost a quarter of the wealth, whilst around half the population holds not even 4% of the wealth.

Just yesterday, it was reported that the richest 10% hold 60% of the Country’s total wealth and that Portugal was one of the European Union countries where the concentration of wealth rose the most, according to a European Commission study. It also notes that wealth has increased, but has not been distributed fairly.

This is the result of the right-wing policies of successive Governments: the rich getting richer at the expense of the poorest becoming poorer.

Blinded by the exercise of power, devoted to the announcements and propaganda rather than solving the problems people face in their daily lives, the Government shows a profound disregard for the difficulties faced by those who work, those who have worked all their lives, and those who keep the Country running.

It refuses to intervene in the profit margins of economic groups to reduce the prices of essential goods and services, and even encourages the speculation and profiteering they engage in.

Since the start of the year, the cost of the basic food basket has already risen by almost 17 euros. Fuel prices have been rising steadily. A gas cylinder now costs almost 40 euros. Housing costs are constantly rising. This in a Country of low wages and pensions, which were already barely enough to last the month. And in recent months, the situation has only grown worse.

But for the economic groups, I would venture to say that things have perhaps never been so good. In 2025, the major banks made over 5 billion euros in profits, Galp over a billion, EDP more billions, and the major retailers over a billion.

Increasing wages and pensions is a priority – indeed, I would go so far as to call it an emergency – given the deterioration in living standards. Wages have to be increased. It is a matter of justice: the wealth created by workers cannot be appropriated by economic groups. It is both possible and necessary to tackle the cost of living, combat poverty and improve the lives of working people.

The wage and pension increases at the start of the year have long since been eroded by rising prices. The Government cannot continue to pretend that this has nothing to do with it. By doing so, it is merely pushing workers into poverty, which in our Country touches thousands of pensioners who have worked all their lives and thousands of workers who, even whilst working, cannot escape the spiral of poverty.

It is therefore essential that, from July 1, there be an interim increase in pensions of at least 50 euros per pensioner. This is a proposal put forward by the PCP this week, which is fundamental to improve the lives of pensioners in the immediate term and, by being incorporated into their pension, will mean better pensions in the future.

To suggest that it is still too early, as the Prime Minister did, merely reveals his contempt for the difficult lives of pensioners.

Whilst the rising cost of living defines the national situation, it is also characterised by the deterioration of public services, difficulties in accessing healthcare and housing, and the attack on Public Schools.

Today we also learnt that in the first few months of the year there was a reduction in the number of medical appointments and surgeries, and that waiting lists have grown. This is the consequence of the present Government’s policy of dismantling the NHS.

The labour package put forward by the Government and employers, which the IL supports and which the CH is willing to make viable and lend a hand to the Government to push through, despite it being widely rejected by workers.

There is no possible patch up to a proposal that retains everything negative in labour legislation and, where it makes changes, does so for the worse, harming workers, particularly the youngest, who are already most hurt by precariousness and instability in employment relationships – a situation the Government is preparing to worsen, jeopardising their future, all to facilitate the exploitation of those who work, as if the youth and workers had no life of their own, and as if that life had no value. It is as if they were just another cog in the factory machine that can be discarded when the employers no longer need them.

There is one aspect that cannot be ignored. The Government did not anticipate the difficulties it is now facing. And its intransigence and arrogance are a reflection of precisely that.

The workers are responding to the scale of the attack on their rights. And as the attack intensifies, so does the struggle; a general strike has already been called for June 3.

Yesterday, today and tomorrow, whether they like it or not, it is the strength and unity of the workers’ struggle that is decisive, the driving force behind hope, confidence and change for a better life.