Portugal union leader wants debt renegotiation
LISBON (Reuters) Portugal must renegotiate its debts rather than impose harsh austerity measures canada goose coats to overcome its economic crisis, the head of the country largest trade union said on Wednesday, threatening to step up strikes if the cheap Canada Goose government pushed on with cuts.
Portuguese flags are seen on the canadian goose jacket meeting room where delegations of the Social Democrat Party and the Popular Party met to set a government coalition agreement in Lisbon June 16, 2011. REUTERS/Jose https://www.getcanadagooseoutlet.ca Manuel Ribeiro
Armenio Carlos, head of the CGTP union, told Reuters Portuguese workers would Canada Goose Jackets take a stand against attacks on labour rights, which he said were part of the government sweeping economic reforms promised under a 78 billion euro $103.29 billion (65.00 billion pound) bailout.
we defend is the renegotiation of debts, in terms of deadlines, in terms of interest and in terms of the amount, Carlos said in canada goose uk outlet an interview, adding that the country bailout had made it impossible to meet its obligations.
Portugal debt currently equals about 105 percent of gross canada goose black friday sale domestic product.
are being confronted with a neo liberal attack on workers rights, he added, saying the government recent labour reform, making uk canada goose it easier to hire and fire, could spark a growing wave of protests.
The union leader, a former electrician and an ex Communist lawmaker who took over as head of the CGTP a week ago, warned that with the austerity policies demanded canada goose uk black friday by the bailout, Portugal was heading down the same road to ruin as Greece.
GREECE EXAMPLE TO OTHERS the results in Greece were disastrous, without buy canada goose jacket a doubt they will be no different here, said Carlos, speaking canada goose uk shop at the CGTP headquarters in the heart of Lisbon.
Greeks have been a heroic uk canada goose outlet example of resistance and sacrifice canada goose to successive austerity packages that are leading Greece to destruction.
Portugal debt crisis has so far failed to provoke the scale of labour protests seen in Greece. There have been two general canada goose store strikes in the past two years and workers in transport canada goose factory sale and other sectors have staged regular stoppages.
But analysts say there could be more unrest as some of the government most stringent austerity measures come into Canada Goose Outlet effect this year. Tax hikes and cuts, including the elimination of two months of civil servants wages, have already sent the country into its Canada Goose Online deepest recession since the 1970s.
up levels of protest is inevitable, said Carlos. are at a crossroads. Either canada goose clearance sale we surrender or we fight.
people already proved. through our history that the various times we were occupied, we did not surrender. canada goose clearance We always responded by defending our sovereignty, he cheap canada goose uk said. is Mrs. Merkel, in this case Germany, that is deciding things.
But Carlos faces challenges, not least that the country second largest union Canada Goose Parka the UGT broke canada goose coats on sale ranks with his group and signed an agreement with the government and employers on labour market reform.
The head of the UGT, which Canada Goose online represents 520,000 workers, said at the time that signing the accord would significantly decrease the likelihood of social strife spiralling out of control in Portugal.
Carlos, whose union represents 700,000 workers, said the agreement was an to subvert canada goose outlet toronto factory the constitution, by allowing companies Canada Goose Coats On Sale to fire workers too easily. Portugal 1974 constitution safeguards the right to work.
package is an instrument for exploration of workers, Canada Goose sale he said.
Carlos urged European unions to step up joint action.
is happening in Europe is an offence against the same people, workers and their families, he said. is necessary for the European Trade Union Confederation to buy canada goose jacket cheap intensify not only its actions of solidarity but also joint actions in the fight.
