The Madeira Hotel Union has sharply criticised PSD labour reforms, saying they could open the door to unpaid work, weaken protections and alter dismissal rules. Adolfo Freitas, a union coordinator, described the proposal as the biggest social setback in labour legislation since April 25, 1974. He argued that the planned “bank of hours” system would force workers into extra unpaid time, which the union rejects. Freitas also warned that changes to collective labour agreements would threaten hard-won rights built through years of organised struggle. On dismissals, he said the reforms could leave employers free to choose whether a dismissed worker is reinstated or compensated, raising serious concerns about fairness and legal security. The union added that some of the proposals may conflict with Article 53 of the Portuguese Constitution, which protects job security and limits unfair dismissal. Alongside its criticism, the union said 40 workers obtained permanent contracts in the past year, but it also reported continued problems with illegal contracts and labour law violations.
