Union discontent in Portugal

The growing trade union hostility to the policies of the centre-left government in Portugal, led by Antonio Guterres, is likely to reach a new high point on 19 June. Trade unionists are being called on to take part in a demonstration being called by the ETUC in the Portuguese city of Porto, with the aim of emphasising specific national concerns. Portuguese trade unionists feel that they are being made to bear a disproportionate burden in the attempt by the government to achieve its inflation target of 2.0% this year. (It was 2.1% in April). There is particular anger among civil servants who have had a 2.5% increase imposed on them and responded with a strike on 9 May. This discontent is not confined to the more militant CGTP, traditionally linked with the communist party, which has been calling for substantial pay increases since its congress last December. The more moderate UGT has also stated that the government "is pushing workers into action". Joao Proença, general secretary of the UGT, described a recent meeting with government ministers on planned 11% increase in fuel prices as being "more or less useless".