Trade unions strategies, job precariousness and sustainable development: an analysis of the Portuguese case

In: Labour and sustainable development: north-south perspectives, p. 219-234

Abstract

"The increasing tendency towards precariousness is a very important issue which, nowadays, challenges social cohesion and sustainable development in most developed societies. This tendency is inscribed in the de-territorialization of the economic processes, based on a liberalization logic and a new mode) of work organization which, in the name of competitiveness and international competition weakens job security and social rights. In Portugal, job insecurity is a central issue that affects more than forty-five per cent of the active population. This figure includes only workers with fixed-term contracts, part-time employees, unemployed workers and self-employed with no employees. How are the Portuguese trade unions reacting to this heavy tendency in the Portuguese society? In order to protect from precariousness, is it enough to use the traditional strategy of political pressure? In particular, what type of relation do the Portuguese trade unions have with those workers most affected by precarious and flexible forms of work? " (author's abstract)