Portugal: government introduces 1% employers’ contribution to fund layoffs

The Portuguese Council of Ministers approved the introduction of two special layoff funds.  These guarantee funds paid for by businesses will ensure the payment of benefits even in case of financial difficulties.  Setting these funds up was the counterpart for the new cut to workers’ layoff benefits, from 20 days per year spent in the company today down to 12.  The National Assembly will debate and vote these two issues.  The government is thinking about speeding up the approval and enforcement of this Act.  (Ref.  130312)
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

1%. The Portuguese Council of Ministers approved the creation of two funds guaranteeing layoff pay. The Labor Compensation Fund (FCT) is a capitalization fund that will ensure the payment of 50% of the benefits workers are entitled to when they get laid off. The FCT is activated by the employer who contributes up to 0.925% of each worker’s gross income. The bill provides for the creation of the “Equivalent Mechanism” (ME), which may take the form of insurance and will pursue the same goal –

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
France: construction sector turns to long-term partial activity scheme
Amid the ongoing economic crisis hitting France’s construction sector, social partners in the public works industry (350,000 employees) signed an agreement at the end of October enabling companies...
21 November 2025
United States: Republican bills aim to loosen labour laws
On 20 November, the US House of Representatives Committee on Education and Workforce passed two Republican-backed bills that would allow employers to compensate overtime with paid time off and...
21 November 2025
Ireland: 2026-2030 action plan launched to promote collective bargaining
Irish employment minister Peter Burke announced on 5 November the launch of the Action Plan to Promote Collective Bargaining 2026–2030. Developed jointly with the Irish Congress of Trade...
Germany: bill adopted to step up fight against illegal employment
On Thursday 13 November, Germany's Bundestag passed a bill to modernise and digitalise the country’s system for tackling undeclared work and financial crime. In future, the relevant department at...
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
Spain: already well on the way to pay transparency?
Spain is preparing for the implementation of its national law transposing the EU Pay Transparency Directive, which will take effect on 7 June 2026. The legislation marks another step forward in...
5 November 2025
2
Italy: decree-law adopted to increase workplace safety
On 28 October, the Italian cabinet adopted a decree-law on health and safety at work, aimed at preventing and reducing accidents. The text addresses both the powers and actions of supervisory...
4 November 2025
3
EU: Court of Justice largely upholds directive on adequate minimum wages
On 11 November, the Court of Justice of the European Union upheld most of the directive on adequate minimum wages, rejecting Denmark’s claim that it infringed on national sovereignty over wage...
12 November 2025
4
Romania: parents of children with disabilities granted up to eight days of remote work per month
On 9 October, the Romanian parliament adopted a bill aiming to bolster support for parents of children with disabilities up to the age of 18. The legislation, which came into force on 12 October...
5
Germany: report previews draft bill to transpose EU Pay Transparency Directive
On Friday 7 November, Germany’s commission for a 'less bureaucratic implementation' of the EU Pay Transparency Directive — made up of employer and trade union representatives — submitted its...
17 November 2025
6
mind RH analysis – Initial findings from CSRD social indicators
In 2025, for the first time, the universal registration documents of major European companies contain the sustainability reporting required by the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive...