About a hundred people demonstrated in Funchal today.
The initiative was promoted by the Union of Syndicates of Madeira (USM) and is part of National Fight Day organised by CGTP-IN, which ran from the 15th of September until today, under the motto “a general increase in wages and pensions is a national emergency.”
The USM coordinator stressed that although the journey ends today, “this is not an end”, but rather “the conclusion of another stage of struggle for better wages and pensions.”
Alexandre Fernandes pointed out that “the greatest difficulties for workers is the inflationary spiral and the cost of living increase. The fear is real, and a stark reminder of the 2008 crisis.”
Among the USM’s demands, were an increase in the national minimum wage to 900 euros, with a 9% increase for workers in the autonomous region, as well as an increase in pensions and the implementation of a 35-hour week for both public and private sector workers.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
