Portugal: “temporary” agreement between the social partners on the program for the improvement of competitiveness and employment

“Heaven-sent agreement.”  The social partners were quite reluctant to the idea of signing an agreement with a government ‘on death row.’  The General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (CGTP) refused to keep on negotiating after it learned about the new austerity measures the José Socrates socialist administration presented in Brussels.  The agreement was about to fail but was eventually signed.  However, employers, particularly the CAP (agriculture) and, to a lesser extent, the CIP (manufacturing), will terminate this agreement if the government falls.  Indeed, the Prime Minister promised to resign if the Parliament doesn’t validate his updated program for growth and stability.  With a minority in Parliament, the socialists didn’t get the passive support of the social-democratic party (PSD, center right).
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but was eventually signed. However, employers, particularly the CAP (agriculture) and, to a lesser extent, the CIP (manufacturing), will terminate this agreement if the government falls. Indeed, the Prime Minister promised to resign if the Parliament doesn’t validate his updated program for growth and stability. With a minority in Parliament, the socialists didn’t get the passive support of the social-democratic party (PSD, center right).

Key points of the agreement. The agreement contains m

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