An Evaluation of the Social and Employment Aspects and Challenges in Portugal

The policy note presents the social and employment policy situation in Portugal.

This policy note begins by assessing the progress towards the employment and social targets of the Europe 2020 strategy, and stresses that the current policies are jeopardising the targets set in 2010. An analysis is then made of the extent to which ILO conventions have been respected during the implementation of the Portuguese adjustment programme. It is argued that reforms to the industrial relations system and labour legislation, the austerity measures taken to tackle the financial crisis and the consultation with social partners on the fixing of the statutory minimum wage fail to respect a number of ILO Conventions. Thirdly, in relation to social dialogue, it is emphasised that even though two tripartite agreements have been signed between social partners, the current period is characterised by increasing conflict, namely an escalation of industrial action and mass protests. The policy note concludes by presenting the main social and employment policy challenges currently facing Portugal.

European Parliament: Directorate-General for Internal Policies of the Union: Publications available via the EU Bookshop http://bookshop.europa.eu/en/directorate-general-for-internal-policies-of-the-union-cbf.cKABstF7wAAAEjwYYY4e5K/

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