Madrid, Feb. 10, (dpa/GNA) - Thousands of people protested in Lisbon and other Portuguese cities about soaring inflation, demanding significant increases to their pay wages and pensions.
In the capital, demonstrators marched toward the parliament building chanting “the cost of living is rising, and people can’t stand it,” and “We can’t accept working poverty,” as well as, “For the country to move forward, wages must rise.”
The CGTP labour federation called for the protest, declaring February 9 a “national day of indignation.” The rallies were accompanied by walkouts by workers in the healthcare and public transport sectors.
CGTP General Secretary Isabel Camarinha said the protests went well, in a speech to Parliament in the evening, saying people are suffering from a “brutal loss of purchasing power” affecting all areas of the economy.
People are “demanding from the companies and the government what they deserve, namely a life in dignity,” she said.
She said there was an urgent need for 10% increase in pay and pensions, and did not rule out a general strike to press ahead with this demand.
Around 20 protest events were held nationwide, according to reports by TV station SIC and other media, although the numbers of attendees were not initially available. Several witnesses spoke of “many tens of thousands” of people.
Portugal President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa called the protests a “good sign.”
“The political system becomes more fragile and weaker when the economic and social partners don’t represent the grassroots,” he said.
Consumer prices in Portugal rose 8.3% in January compared with the same month a year earlier, but average gross monthly earnings reach just over €1,350 ($1,440), according to official figures.
GNA