Seguro calls on the Government to resume dialogue to avoid a general strike.

In statements to journalists in Guimarães, Braga district, on the sidelines of a conference on economics and housing, Seguro expressed being "quite concerned" about the prospect of the strike.

"My appeal is to the Government to take initiatives so that dialogue can resume, that the proposals presented by the workers, through their representatives, are taken into account, and that this general strike, which will naturally have negative consequences for the country, is avoided," he said.

The general secretary of the CGTP announced today a general strike for December 11th, at the end of the national march against the labor package in Lisbon.

"I am quite concerned because calling a general strike is a rare occurrence in our country; the last one was more than 10 years ago, and it only happens when workers feel that there are no conditions to continue this dialogue," António José Seguro added.

He added that he had already had the opportunity to speak on the phone with the UGT leader about the matter, but declined to reveal the content of the conversation.

"At this moment, I am appealing to the Government, because I believe that the Government has this responsibility, this duty and this obligation to avoid this general strike," he reiterated.

The Secretary-General of the CGTP said that "with a position already taken or in the final stages of decision by many union structures, it was possible to establish convergence for a general strike on December 11th."

Although no other union structures were mentioned, it was reported this Friday by Expresso that the UGT would also join this general strike.

Among the changes included in the Government's draft revision of labor legislation are the extension of the duration of fixed-term contracts, the return of individual time banks, the end of the ban on external hiring after dismissals, the revision of parental leave, and the reinforcement of mandatory minimum services in case of strikes.

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