General strike in Portugal affects flights between Brazil and Lisbon

The general strike called for this Tuesday (3) in Portugal caused changes in the country's air operations and affected flights connecting Lisbon to Brazil.

Lisbon Airport advised passengers to check the status of their flights with airlines before going to the terminal due to the impacts of the shutdown.

Airlines affected
TAP Air Portugal reported that it will operate only 79 flights within the scope of the minimum services defined for the period of the strike. According to the company, all other operations scheduled for the day will be suspended.

The company stated that it is contacting affected passengers to offer travel alternatives and highlighted that it is working to minimize the inconvenience caused by the stoppage.

Latam also announced flexibility measures for customers with flights to, from or via Lisbon between the 2nd and 3rd of June. Passengers will be able to reschedule their trips without being charged a fine, within the conditions established by the company, or request a refund in accordance with the fare rules for the ticket purchased.

Azul Linhas Aéreas announced the cancellation of flights AD8750 and AD8900, between Campinas and Lisbon, scheduled for Tuesday (2), in addition to return flights AD8751 and AD8901, between the Portuguese capital and Viracopos, scheduled for Wednesday (3).

In a statement, the company stated that impacted customers are being notified and highlighted that the situation is beyond its control.

Motivations for the strike
The strike was called by the CGTP (General Confederation of Portuguese Workers), one of the main trade unions in the country, in protest against a labor reform proposal approved by the Council of Ministers and sent to Parliament last month.

The CGTP cites the increase in the cost of living, with rising food, energy and housing prices, in addition to the economic impacts resulting from tensions in the Middle East, as factors that motivated the mobilization.

The entity also criticizes the so-called "Labor Package" defended by the Portuguese government, arguing that the measures favor economic groups and increase the exploitation of workers.

So far, the Portuguese authorities maintain the strike is expected to take place this Tuesday, while airlines and airport operators adopt measures to reduce impacts on passengers.

Position of the Portuguese government
Last month, the Prime Minister of Portugal, Luís Montenegro, stated that the country needs to make part of its labor legislation more flexible to increase the competitiveness of the economy and attract more investment.

Among the measures defended by the government are the relaxation of limits for outsourcing and the expansion of time bank mechanisms, allowing employees to accumulate overtime for future compensation with time off or additional pay.

According to Montenegro, the objective is not to remove workers' rights, but to make the Portuguese economy more attractive in an international scenario of instability.

"We don't want to take away workers' rights, but Portugal is an economy that, at this time of external instability, has everything it needs to be a reference of stability and to attract more investment", said the prime minister during a business conference held in Braga.

The government argues that the changes can boost economic growth and increase investment in the country.

(With information from Reuters)

Source: CNN