Labor changes mobilize thousands of people in defense of women and families

Both petitions are available on the “Public Petition” online page and are both listed among the most active petitions.

In the case of the petition against the "unacceptable setbacks in the rights of women, mothers and babies" , which this afternoon had 25,647 signatures, the request is for the Assembly of the Republic to reject or amend the proposals that limit breastfeeding leave to up to 2 years of age, reject the revocation of absences due to pregnancy bereavement and reject the change to flexible working hours.

Regarding breastfeeding leave, she argues that the changes proposed by the government are "an attack on health, science and motherhood", ignoring the recommendations of the World Health Organization ( WHO ), which advocate breastfeeding up to 2 years of age.

The petitioners argue that this legislative change is "contrary to the promotion of birth rates, which the government itself claims to intend to encourage," "an obstacle to the reconciliation of work and family life," and "an incentive for early and forced weaning, with potentially lasting negative impacts."

The petition also opposes the end of the right to three days of justified and paid absence in the event of gestational bereavement, criticizing the government's proposal that, by eliminating this right, relegates gestational loss "to silence, oblivion and invisibility."

Regarding flexible working hours, they argue that it is "a reality that helps families achieve a balance between their personal and professional lives and be present in their children's lives and growth."

The petition, which is entitled an "Open Letter for Family Rights" , and which this afternoon had gathered 15,484 signatures, has similar objectives, asking the Assembly of the Republic and the Government not to move forward with a set of changes to labor laws, as they are "a serious setback in labor, social and family rights, with a special impact on women, children and families."

"The proposed measures negatively affect central aspects of parenting policy, maternal and child health, and work-life balance, contradicting international recommendations, public commitments, and the best available scientific knowledge," the petitioners argue.

They therefore advocate the rejection of any proposal that limits breastfeeding leave to up to two years, the rejection of the revocation of the right to take three days off work due to pregnancy bereavement, and the maintenance of the current flexible working hours regime.

This petition also calls for "the mandatory sharing of parental leave to be rejected so that it can be paid 100%, allowing each family to decide, according to their circumstances, how to manage this crucial time, without being financially penalized."

It warns of the "direct and lasting impact on thousands of Portuguese families" as a result of these legislative proposals, and calls on all parliamentary groups "to assume their historical responsibility and reject any setbacks on matters so central to the future of families and children in Portugal."

"We also call on the government to reevaluate these measures, reaffirming its commitment to equality, public health, combating precariousness, and promoting conscious and respected parenting," it further reads.

The various changes to labor legislation that the government is preparing to implement are part of a preliminary draft submitted last week to the social partners, as part of the Social Concertation.

Photo: Alex Pasarelu / Unsplash.