Several schools throughout Portugal were closed today (Friday, November 8) – or operating skeleton services – as civil servants unions came out on strike over new proposals for the State Budget.
“Workers cannot take any more,” coordinator of the FCSA state workers organisation Ana Avoila told Expresso newspaper, adding that the proposed budget cuts are aimed at “ending social services enshrined in the Constitution – all of which will gradually be handed to the private sector”.
State workers will “not give the government carte blanche to fleece people”, she said. Avoila added today’s strike action is designed to push for the government’s resignation.
Further efforts towards this are behind a demonstration in Lisbon called by CGTP workers union for tomorrow (Saturday, November 9). Explaining the reasons for the strike, FCSA’s pamphlets say: “In defence of public services! Against theft of salaries and pensions! Work hours! Against sackings!”
