General strike disrupts services across Portugal over labour reforms

On Wednesday, a nationwide general strike in Portugal led to widespread service disruptions, including the suspension of state railway services, the closure of the Lisbon metro, and the cancellation of hundreds of flights. Flag carrier TAP reported operating only 79 of its usual 300 daily flights, while Iberia saw reductions between 50% and 75%. Schools across the country were closed, and hospitals postponed non-urgent surgeries due to a nursing walkout. The strike was organized by the CGTP union in protest against government plans to reform over 100 articles of the labour code. The minority centre-right government intends to pass the bill with support from the Chega party, citing a need to boost productivity and economic growth. Union leader Tiago Oliveira stated that the reforms would ease dismissals, deregulate working hours, and curb strike rights. Critics, such as bank employee Rodrigo Azevedo, claimed the measures would enforce 50-hour work weeks without extra pay and increase job precarity. This marks the second general strike in six months and the first since December.