Minister opens up about changes to unemployment benefit

Portugal’s minister of labour and social security is advocating for changes in unemployment benefit to “try to prevent it from becoming more attractive for people who receive social benefits, namely from the non-contributory system, to stay at home instead of working”. Maria de Rosário Palma Ramalho explained that employers in particular have complaints due to a lack of workers. No changes to benefits will come about without consultation with ‘social partners’ (including trade unions), she added.