In the midst of a record high unemployment rate and economic recession, Portuguese workers are organising today another general strike against austerity policies, salary and pension cuts and new labour laws. Demonstrations will take place in 37 cities all over the country.
The European Left party congratulates the Portuguese people for this action, as well as all the trade unions, movements and political parties that are organizing and supporting this struggle.
EL underlines the importance of popular resistance against the destruction of social rights, of public services and of economic activity in a country like Portugal, frontline victim of financial market speculative attacks and correlated EU restrictive policies.
A victory in Portugal will be a factor of major importance for the overall European workers' resistance and counteroffensive to enter a new path of social development, ecological transition, real democracy and solidarity in Europe, the only real way out of the crisis.
Party of European LeftBrussels,
22nd March 2012