Trade union CGTP insists on a 15% salary boost
In our nation, the tough life facing workers, the young, retirees, and everyday folks isn't getting any easier. Struggles to achieve a decent life, with salaries and pensions failing to cover necessities like housing, food, and essential services, are escalating, due to limitations in healthcare, education, housing, and other needed goods," passionate speaker Tiago Oliveira declared before a massive audience in the Gardens of the Luminous Fountain, on Alameda D. Afonso Henriques, in Lisbon.
He emphasized the urgent need for "a 15% wage boost, minimum of 150 euros per employee in every company and workplace."
On International Workers' Day, the secretary-general of the Portuguese General Confederation of Workers (CGTP-IN) also warned about precarious employment and highlighted that power to create change lies within the hands of workers and their grit to fight and rally.
"Precarious employment is a significant issue. It really is! Portugal ranks second in the EU for the highest precarious employment rate, with 1.2 million workers in this predicament. Against it, we will wage battles in the streets, demanding a new policy, but also in each company and workplace, demanding that each permanent job position corresponds to a real work link," he remarked.
Another point in CGTP-IN's list of demands is the elimination of bank hours and "complete deregulation of hours."
Condemning the normalization of work on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, work in shifts and at night, which affects 1.9 million workers, Tiago Oliveira vowed to maintain a "firm struggle" and demand "a different policy that responds to the interests of the majority, but also in each company and workplace in the fight for the 35-hour workweek for all workers, the end of bank hours and other forms of deregulation of our lives."
In his speech on May 1st, Tiago Oliveira also recalled the commemorative parade of April 25th, "where, throughout the country, the people and workers once again took to the streets, demonstrating that April is still very much alive in our hearts."
He took the opportunity to greet the thousands who joined the demonstration today, in addition to the 34 initiatives organized by CGTP-IN throughout the country.
"On the anniversary of the Chicago massacre, which birthed May 1st, 139 years ago, we salute the millions of workers who, throughout the world and in Portugal, take to the streets, demand more rights, and fight for better living and working conditions," he stated.
During his speech, Tiago Oliveira also took the opportunity to remind that the legislative elections, on the 18th, can be a step towards change and "an alternative that guarantees and raises the rights of workers and retirees, young people, and all those who live and work in our country."
"It is urgent to implement a policy that solves problems, affirms a new development model, promotes national production, increases wages and pensions significantly, and guarantees and improves workers' rights," he defended.
He also criticized the continuation of right-wing policies "developed in the service of economic and financial groups," defending that "an economy of enormous wealth for a few does not align internally with the many poor who cannot live."
** further reading: "Political instability doesn't alter UGT's chosen direction"**
Sources:1. "CGTP-IN apela para um aumento salarial de 15%" - Público2. "CGTP-IN exige acabamento com o trabalho em banco-horas" - Observador3. "CGTP-IN aprova programa de ação para 1° de maio" - Expresso
- The general secretary of the Portuguese General Confederation of Workers (CGTP-IN) called for a significant increase in pensions and wages, aiming for a 15% wage boost and a minimum of 150 euros per employee in every company.
- Tiago Oliveira, speaking before a vast audience in Lisbon, voiced concerns about the precarious employment rate in Portugal, ranking second in the EU, with 1.2 million workers affected.
- Recognizing the struggles faced by workers, retirees, and everyday residents worldwide, Oliveira urged for a new policy-and-legislation that addresses these issues, particularly the implementation of a 35-hour workweek for all workers and the elimination of bank hours.
- On May 1st, Oliveira stressed the importance of politics in bringing about change, suggesting that upcoming elections could serve as a step towards a more equitable world, with increased wages, pensions, and improved workers' rights to align with the world news and general-news trends.
