Mass Strike Paralyzes Transport and Schools in Portugal

Thousands of workers staged a protest in the Portuguese capital Lisbon on Wednesday (3/6/2026) as part of a general strike opposing labour reform plans proposed by the government. The action marked the second general strike in six months to disrupt public services in Portugal. The strike halted train services, forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights, and led to the closure of several schools. The centre-right minority government is expected to pass the bill with the support of the right-wing Chega party. The reform includes changes to more than 100 articles of the labour code and is said to aim to increase productivity and boost economic growth after negotiations with trade unions failed to reach an agreement. Many workers believe the reform will harm labourers. ‘This is a brutal attack on our rights. They want to condemn us to instability at work and in life,’ said retail worker Filipa Costa. Portugal’s largest trade union confederation, CGTP, stated that the reform risks worsening conditions for workers by expanding precarious work, relaxing working time rules, making dismissals easier, and restricting the right to strike and parental protections. Meanwhile, the government argues that new rules are needed to facilitate terminations deemed lawful, give companies more flexibility in cases of illegal dismissal through compensation mechanisms, and remove several restrictions on outsourcing practices.