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Portugal hit by strikes against austerity measures

Source: Reuters - Tue 27th Apr 2010

Portuguese public transport workers went on strike against government austerity measures on Tuesday, leaving commuters stranded.

With markets concerned that Portugal will be the next weak link in the euro zone after debt-stricken Greece, the government has taken a firm line on its austerity plan, holding talks with unions, but making few or no concessions.

The public transport workers joined postal workers, who on Monday started a strike set to continue until May 7, while parliament administration workers are set to strike on Wednesday and truckers' unions also plan a walkout in May.

The government plan, designed to cut the budget deficit to 2.8 percent of gross domestic product in 2013 from last year's 9.4 percent, includes freezing public sector wages, capping recruitment and privatising several public companies.

But workers may bear the brunt of the measures.

"We question whether it should be the workers who pay for this crisis. We don't think it should be, it cannot only be the workers who pay" said Manuel Leal, spokesman for the Fedtrans transport union.

According to unions, some 20,000 workers are taking strike action from Monday till Wednesday at 16 public transport companies which will affect around one million passengers.

The biggest impact was felt by railway passengers as train conductors walked out.

"Everybody needs to work and I don't really understand this. I am very angry today, very angry because I left the house and am here now and it seems I have to go back home now. I don't agree with the strike" said shopkeeper Teresa Silva while waiting at for a train in the outskirts of Lisbon.

Underground service in Lisbon and Porto ran as normal, but bus and ferry stoppages forced commuters to drive into work, causing lengthy traffic jams on motorways.

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