In Porto, on the Avenida dos Aliados members of the CGTP discoursing while people were sheltering under umbrellas at the Crystal Palace were the hundreds celebrated the day of the worker in a celebration organized by the General Workers’ Union (UGT).
People of all ages and parties were present and heard the speech of the general secretary of the UGT, Carlos Silva, who announced that in September, will propose a further increase in the national minimum wage. The value is, for now, unknown but the goal is to come into force from January 2016.
Carlos Silva recalled that it is extremely important not only “protest and claim but also trade”. In this context, he recalled that it was through agreement between the Government, employers’ confederations and the UGT has been achieved recently, an increase of 20 euros in the minimum wage – going from 485 euros to 505. It was a small change but still , “an important signal” he admits.
“Work and decent wages”, asks Vítor Pereira, 51. Postal worker, adds that the UGT was “the ACFTU one that really did something for workers,” referring to the negotiation of the labor code. They are also concerned that low wages Maria José Leitão, a teacher of 51 years, explains that it is important to remember the 1st of May as a way to “express what is in the soul.”
In the area education, Fatima Loureiro regrets that the school has “regressed in recent years.” This teacher of primary and secondary education is 45 years and points to two main problems: the first cycle, “the classrooms have different years of students’ and the school years that follow, the courses are” giants, with more than 30 students “. These “economistic measures”, in addition to giving jobs to fewer teachers, “prevent a good quality education.”
And what more needs to be improved? Carolina Cardoso, 62, replied assertively: “Health, labor and justice.” It is in pre-retirement and ensure that the situation “can not be this way you are.” Although at the beginning of the conversation to be calm, raises the pitch when repeated twice that “only we who steal.” “This unnerves me,” is justified.
Portugal is going through a “regrettable situation”, states Manuel Pires, self-employed. 62, is concerned with “the country degradamento” but prefers not complain individually. “Young people with no future is of concern to me,” he explains. Carlos Silva, in his speech, has not forgotten them. He recalled that many emigrated “at the invitation of political power” and that, among those who remained in the country, many “are registered in the employment centers.” “Without trust, there will be no economic prosperity,” says the secretary general of the UGT.
This is the confidence that lack the Mariana Reis, 23. We never had a right job and believes that “emigration is an increasingly real possibility.” The job insecurity is firmly rejected by Carlos Silva:. “UGT rejects any changes to the legislation to open the door to greater flexibility in redundancies, come from where she comes”
Protest “constant”
Carlos Silva also noted that “measures must be taken out of the noise of election campaigns” and that the National Health Service, “one April achievement,” has been one of the most affected sectors, something that must be countered by stopping the “wild capitalism”.
For the country’s situation improves, he says, it is necessary that the protest is “constant” and that the political forces, “instead of making promises that can not meet, spend to honor his word. ” For the secretary general, “those accused of treason UGT [in negotiations with the government] are always the same ever are available for consensus and commitment,” two “fundamental” attitudes to Carlos Silva.
Carlos Silva regrets that “four years of countless sacrifices” have led to a “retreat of April achievements” but confesses that he has “redoubled hope” when you look at the future.
Text edited by Nuno Pacheco
No comments:
Post a Comment