The general strike which the government tried valiantly to dismiss as “inexpressive” is still causing hiccups today with “high participation in both education and university and polytechnic canteens”.
This may sound ‘neither here nor there’, but regulations in Portugal preclude the opening of schools/ polytechnics and universities if canteens are not working – ergo many of these establishments will not be functioning.
“It is still too early for more concrete data but at the moment we have 75% (adhesion) in education with many schools closed, 90% of university and polytechnic canteens are closed – and we don’t have figures yet for the health sector but it is also being affected,” Jaime Santos, president of SITOPAS (the Independent Union of Public and Social Support Workers) told Lusa early this morning.
According to Santos, in municipal services – more specifically in rubbish collection – the indication is that this will only be done on Monday (next week).
SITOPAS, in line with all the unions involved in the general strike, rejects the government’s proposed labour reforms (which haven’t even yet been presented to parliament) as “disrespectful to workers”.
Source: LUSA
