On Saturday, November 8, 2025, Lisbon’s grand avenues became a sea of banners and voices as tens of thousands of people rallied against a sweeping package of labor reforms proposed by Portugal’s center-right government. Organized by the country’s largest trade union, CGTP, the demonstration drew a massive crowd—CGTP estimated around 100,000 participants—though police declined to offer their own count, according to Reuters and AP.
The protest was a direct response to labor legislation advanced by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro’s minority government, which says the changes are designed to boost productivity and flexibility in Portugal’s job market. But for many on the streets, the reforms represent something far more troubling: a rollback of hard-won worker protections in a country where more than half the workforce earns less than €1,000 per month, and the minimum wage sits at just €870—one of the lowest in the European Union, as reported by UNN and AP News.
“No to the labor package,” read many of the signs hoisted above the crowd. Protesters, including young professionals and seasoned union members, voiced fears that the legislation would tilt the scales in favor of big business. The union CGTP accused the government of “favoring big business while low-wage workers struggle with the rising cost of living.”
The proposed reforms, as outlined by the government, would make it easier for employers to dismiss workers for just cause. Under the new rules, employers would no longer need to provide evidence at the employee’s request or hear witnesses, making job security feel even more fragile for many. “It’s a step backward in working conditions and could lead to a complete lack of job security,” said Miriam Alves, 31, who works for a medical device company, speaking to Reuters.
Other controversial elements of the package include relaxing restrictions on outsourcing, allowing companies to create “individual time banks” so employees could work up to two extra hours per day (but no more than 150 hours per year), and reducing certain types of compassionate leave. Notably, the reforms would limit how long breastfeeding women can claim a flexible work schedule and reduce bereavement leave for women who suffer miscarriages. “The reforms are a real setback in the lives of each and every one of us,” CGTP general secretary Tiago Oliveira told Reuters.
For many, the changes to family and compassionate leave were especially galling. Archive technician Madalena Pena, 34, accused the government of rolling back labor protections “in an unfair, subtle, and cunning way, without having said anything before the election” in May, according to Reuters.
Portugal’s economic context loomed large over the protest. Official data cited by UNN and Agencies show that more than half of Portuguese workers earned under €1,000 ($1,060) per month last year. The minimum wage—€870, or roughly $1,007—lags behind most of Western Europe. Protesters carried signs demanding a raise to €1,050 ($1,214) by 2026, a figure they say would help address the rising cost of living and chronic low wages.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, who leads the center-right Democratic Alliance, took office earlier this year after a closely watched election. His government, which holds a minority in Portugal’s 230-seat parliament, insists the labor reforms are necessary to attract investment and modernize the country’s rigid job market. Officials argue the measures will “increase competitiveness” and help one of Western Europe’s poorest economies keep pace with its neighbors.
But the reforms have found little support among Portugal’s working class and left-leaning parties. Opponents want the package withdrawn entirely, arguing it threatens hard-fought labor rights and undermines job security. “It’s one of the greatest attacks ever made against workers,” CGTP declared in a statement to Reuters.
The political path for the reforms appears relatively clear, however. The bill is expected to pass in parliament with the backing of Chega, the far-right and largest opposition party. This alliance between the center-right government and Chega has raised eyebrows among some observers, who see it as a sign of the shifting political landscape in Portugal. The country, home to 10.6 million people, has historically leaned toward center-left governance, but recent elections have seen a surge in support for right-wing and populist parties.
As the protest wound its way through Lisbon, organizers announced plans for a nationwide general strike on December 11, 2025. The strike, they said, is intended to send a clear message to lawmakers that workers will not accept reforms that erode their rights. “We are calling for all workers to join us in defense of our rights and dignity,” CGTP’s Tiago Oliveira said, as reported by AP.
Beyond the immediate dispute over the labor bill, the demonstration highlighted deeper economic anxieties in Portugal. The country has struggled with low wages, high rates of temporary and precarious work, and sluggish economic growth. Many young Portuguese have left for better opportunities abroad, fueling concerns about brain drain and the country’s long-term prospects.
In the midst of these challenges, the labor reforms have become a lightning rod for broader frustrations. Protesters say the government’s focus on flexibility and competitiveness comes at the expense of social protections and stability for ordinary workers. “We’re not just fighting for ourselves, but for future generations,” said one demonstrator, echoing a sentiment heard throughout the crowd.
Some analysts point out that Portugal’s labor market does face real challenges, including relatively high unemployment among young people and a need to attract foreign investment. Still, critics insist that reforms must be balanced and fair, protecting vulnerable workers while encouraging growth. The government, for its part, maintains that the new laws will ultimately benefit the country as a whole.
Meanwhile, the protest also brought attention to other government actions. The Portuguese Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum recently ruled that Belarusian citizens under temporary protection after the Russian invasion of Ukraine must leave Portuguese territory—a decision that has sparked concern among human rights advocates, though it was not the main focus of Saturday’s demonstration.
As the sun set over Lisbon, the message from the streets was unmistakable: workers are ready to fight for their rights, even as the political winds shift in the capital. Whether the government’s reforms will survive the coming weeks—and the planned general strike—remains to be seen, but for now, Portugal’s labor movement has made its voice heard in no uncertain terms.
