Employers align with the government's stance on parenthood, layoffs, and working hours; trade unions remain resolute, unwilling to yield their stance
The Portuguese government has proposed changes to labor legislation, extending paid parental leave and introducing maternity bereavement leave provisions. However, the General Union of Workers (UGT) sees these measures as a step backwards, claiming they are discriminatory and do not adequately address broader labor rights and protections.
The proposed changes include an extension of paid parental leave from 16 to 19 weeks per parent, with up to 32 weeks for single-parent families. Additionally, there is an extra two weeks of paid leave for caring for children up to the age of 8.
Regarding maternity bereavement leave, while the reforms include provisions for time off following pregnancy loss, the UGT argues these are insufficient or inconsistently applied.
The UGT's main concern lies in the area of dismissal. They believe that certain dismissal-related provisions are discriminatory, particularly in how dismissals during or after parental or bereavement leave are handled. The UGT maintains that these measures fall short of protecting workers' rights fully and may even roll back progress in employment security, especially for women and caregiving parents.
Employers, on the other hand, support the proposed changes, expressing a particular interest in the area of dismissal.
Anabela Campos and Cátia Mateus, two journalists, are reporting on the ongoing controversy surrounding the labor legislation changes. The UGT continues to criticize the government's proposals, considering them discriminatory and a step backwards in women's and families' rights.
Sources: - Royal Decree-Law 9/2025 (Spain’s extension of parental leave aligned with EU Directive 2019/1158) - News outlets summarizing the reform and its implementation - UGT's public position highlighting discrimination and regression, although explicit details from UGT were not fully available.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the UGT's criticisms and whether the proposed changes will be amended to address the union's concerns.
- The science of workplace wellness and health and wellness is crucial in analyzing the impact of the Portuguese government's proposed labor policy changes on family health.
- The opposition to these changes, led by the General Union of Workers (UGT), voiced concerns that the new policy may not provide adequate protection for workers, particularly in the realm of dismissal, and could potentially roll back progress in the realm of policy and legislation related to family health.
- Parenting and family health are among the core issues at the heart of the debate, with the UGT insisting that the proposed changes do not address broader labor rights and protections.
- The ongoing controversy surrounding the labor legislation reforms has attracted attention in the general news, with journalists like Anabela Campos and Cátia Mateus offering insights into the union's claims of discrimination and regression, particularly in terms of women's rights.
