Working in Portugal - Representation of Workers

Trade union associations are entitled to: 

• enter into multi-employer agreements; 
• provide services of an economic and social nature to their members; 
• take part in drafting labour legislation; 
• initiate and intervene in legal cases and administrative procedures to defend their members’ interests; 
• take part in enterprise restructuring processes; 
• establish relations with or join international trade union organisations.

The freedom of workers to join a trade union is guaranteed, though no worker is allowed to be a member of different trade unions for the same occupation or activity at the same time. Workers and trade unions are entitled to carry out trade union activity within the enterprise, particularly by means of workplace union representatives, trade union commissions and inter-union commissions.

Employees are elected as workplace union representatives by direct secret ballot. Workplace union representatives are entitled to five hours’ time off per month (or eight hours in the case of a representative who sits on an inter-union commission) to engage in trade union activity.

In addition to defending their members’ collective and individual interests, trade unions generally provide support in complementary activities relating to social security and health, social action and other recreational, cultural and sports activities.

The fact that someone is a member of a trade union is not valued by most employers, particularly where recruitment is concerned.

Text last edited March 2008

Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2009
Reproduction is authorised.