CGTP-IN MESSAGE OF THANKS FOR INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY AND INFORMATION

AFTER THE 24TH NOVEMBER GENERAL STRIKE
THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES

With the workers’ participation in public and private workplaces, the immense attendance of demonstrations and rallies held on the day and the clear support of the public opinion, the 24 November general strike was a magnificent expression of strength and determination and a shining landmark in the struggle of the Portuguese men and women workers.
The general strike received solidarity greetings from dozens of trade union organisations from several continents and included solidarity events in front of Portuguese consulates abroad, all of these being important expressions of unity of purpose as well as internationalist and class-based solidarity which deeply honour us and stimulate the Portuguese workers and their necessary struggle.
A struggle which – given the dimension and depth of the current offensive – needs to be intensified: to defend alternative paths and historical rights and gains; to value labour and the workers; for a future with rights for the new generations; for the development of the productive fabric; to defend democracy and national sovereignty.
While big economic and financial groups continue to get fat and to be spared, the government and the troika are seeking and provoking the general impoverishment of the population by intensifying workers’ exploitation: they wish to make unfair dismissals become legitimate, confronting Portugal’s Constitution; cut back redundancy pay; reduce unemployment benefits and ostracise the unemployed; to attack collective bargaining, trade unions and the right to negotiate; to rob Christmas and holiday bonus pay from workers and pensioners; violently raise taxes and prices of essential services and commodities; severely cut in health, education and social welfare; dismantle public services and privatise strategic companies and industries.
This is why, in Portugal, in the workplaces and on the streets the struggles of workers, unemployed, youth, women, pensioners and other popular layers – hit by the violent offensive – are repeatedly taking place.

12-17 DECEMBER – PROTEST AND STRUGGLE WEEK
AGAINST LONGER WORKING HOURS AND FORCED LABOUR
FOR JOBS, SALARIES AND RIGHTS
The government has just decided to raise the working week from 40 to 42,5 hours, creating a monthly ten-hour basket, with which they intend to force workers to work without pay one Saturday every month.
For companies to attain competitiveness they don’t need to increase working hours nor reduce salaries since, in Portugal, these two together only mean 15% of companies’ total expenditure. What is required is better organisation and management, higher added-value of the goods and services sold in the market, innovation and modernisation as well as fight against the underground economy.

THERE ARE ALTERNATIVES, LET US FIGHT FOR THEM!
FOR A PORTUGAL WITH A FUTURE!

Graciete Cruz
International Secretary
Executive Board
CGTP-IN