Within the framework of the calls made by the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (CGPT), one of the largest unions in Portugal, on the occasion of the “National Day of Struggle” held yesterday, strikes and demonstrations were held in different sectors.

Workers from many different sectors, including pharmacists, nurses, judicial officials and employees of the transport sector, as well as important private companies affiliated with the CGPT, such as Matutano, Lactogal, Nobre, Tiendas, Grupo Altica, left their jobs yesterday.

NEARLY 100 SHOWS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY

Within the framework of the actions, nearly 100 demonstrations were held throughout the country, especially in large cities such as Lisbon and Porto.

In a written statement by the CGPT, the ruling left-wing government was called on to increase the minimum wage (886 euros) by at least 10 percent and to take new measures against price increases.

‘PRICES MUST BE UNDER CONTROL AND REDUCED’

Emphasizing that the high cost of living overwhelms workers in both the public and private sectors, the statement said: “Policies that push workers ever deeper into poverty must end and wages and pensions must increase. . Speculation in the interests of the main economic groups must be stopped. The prices of basic necessities and services must be controlled and reduced.

Due to the high cost of living in Portugal, strikes increased by 148% in the private sector and 112% in the public sector in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.

The Socialist Party (PS), the only one in power in the country, prefers for now to establish a policy of limiting prices by reducing VAT on 44 basic food products. (AA)