A worldwide strike by Portuguese diplomatic staff has been called off, following a breakthrough in negotiations between the government of Prime Minister António Costa and the staff union, known by its Portuguese initials STCDE.
The industrial action over better pay and conditions, which threatened to affect the consulate in Macao, was to have started on 3 April and lasted until 24 April, according to the Hoje Macau newspaper.
The top official in charge of the affairs of the country’s diaspora Paulo Cafôfo – known as the secretary of state for the Portuguese communities – told media that “There are no fundamental discrepancies today between the government and the union”.
[See more: Alexandre Leitão appointed new Consul General of Portugal in Macao and Hong Kong]
The STCDE welcomed what it called the “positive sign of continuation of negotiations to resolve the problems that afflict workers in consular posts, diplomatic missions and cultural centres of the Instituto Camões abroad”.
Portugal has been beset by a wave of protests and industrial action as workers struggle with mounting inflation and a housing crisis that has seen many people priced out of their homes.
In February, tens of thousands marched through the streets of Lisbon to demand better living conditions. The month previous, large numbers of teachers and school staff took to the streets.
Judiciary staff have also been on strike, putting thousands of court cases on hold.
