EPSU Executive Committee: solidarity with actions in Portugal

(27 November) The EPSU Executive committee discussed the situation in Portugal at its meeting on 26 November. The committee expressed its solidarity with STAL and the other trade unions of the Frente Comum de Sindicatos da Administração Pública who took strike action in protest at the latest package of cuts being imposed by the Portuguese government under pressure from the Troika – the European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund.

The unions reported a successful day of action and EPSU sends it support for the continuing campaigns by the trade union movement to resist austerity. Images from yesterday's action can be seen here.

The union action on 26 November was also in protest at the lack of democracy as the Troika draws up policies that are implemented by a government that has no mandate for such action.

Working people in Portugal are facing a sharp rise in prices of essential goods (food, water, electricity, fuels) and unsustainable increases in housing costs at the same time as further cuts in pay and pensions are being implemented.

The target of reducing the deficit to 2.5% of GDP in 2015 requires a massive programme of measures in 2014-2015, amounting to 2% of GDP or about €3.4 billion, through reductions in pay, jobs and services and through privatisation

The Portuguese people are already paying a heavy price for the Troika policies with unemployment at 16.3% and, according to the European Commission set to rise to 17.7% next year while youth unemployment is at 36.9%. GDP is still 5.5% lower than it was in 2007 and will fall further next year (down by 1.8%).

EPSU is calling for a change of policy in Portugal and the rest of Europe, with an end to austerity and implementation of a substantial, European strategy for investment as demanded by the ETUC.