Portugal: interview of Manuel Bravo, secretary for collective bargaining at the CGTP’s metalworkers’ federation, Fiequimetal

Manuel Bravo.  Indeed, the government recently resigned because of the austerity measures presented to the Portuguese population.  This austerity program was first discussed with Angela Merkel and the European Commission, and only then with the representatives of the Portuguese people (the Portuguese Parliament).  This resignation is also due to action undertaken by the CGTP’s unions in the street, starting with the general strike of November 24, 2010 and into this year.  The CGTP was really against the measures proposed.  Regarding employment, the government wanted to make layoffs cheaper and easier, whereas we think this measure doesn’t help reduce unemployment.  Actually, unemployment has been substantially increasing all along the current government’s mandate.  This government policy would also have increased precariousness.  Precariousness affects over 1.2 million young people in Portugal.  Even young people with a college degree have a really hard time finding a job in their country.  Actually, the country is loosing the value of this population.  Regarding labor law, the situation is worsening.  Small and medium-size businesses are really having a hard time with the increase in taxes.  And businesses that actually have the means to pay higher wages use the crisis as an excuse not to do it.  In 1974, Portugal went through a major crisis.  After the April revolution, one of the first measures we adopted was to increase wages, especially minimum wage.  This supplement to families’ buying power helped develop trade and therefore the industry.  Today, increasing wages is vital to get out of the crisis.  We, CGTP unions, are going to keep on mobilizing workers to combat these austerity policies, to change policies towards greater social justice, investment into productive sectors, redistributing wealth and guaranteeing better social conditions for the workers.