Portuguese anti-austerity drive

Portugal was facing a second general strike in four months on Thursday as workers express opposition to government austerity measures and reforms.

Doubts remained as to whether the 24-hour stoppages, organized by Portugal's largest union, the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (CGTP), would receive widespread support.

Public transport was expected to be particularly affected, with the metro train system in Lisbon set to be closed all day. Ferry service between both sides of the Tagus river in the Portuguese capital were also due to be halted. Buses and suburban trains were set to run skeleton services.

"We are convinced that we are going to have a high participation rate," said Armenio Carlos, secretary general of the CGTP. "It is absolutely necessary to oppose the degradation in the standard of living of the Portuguese people," he said.

The strike was called in February in opposition to amendments that make it easier for employers to lay off workers as well as to reduce vacation time and public holiday bonus payments.

Portugal is committed to a three-year debt-reduction program in return for a 78-billion-euro ($103 billion) financial package from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund.

More than three million people took part in the last general strike in November 2011, according to the CGTP, which is traditionally influenced by the Portuguese Communist Party. This time, the historically more moderate General Worker's Union is not giving the strikes its support after reaching agreement with the government over the labor reforms.

rc/pfd (AFP, dpa, Reuters)