The coalition of the centre-right Social Democrat Party (Partido Social Democrata, PPD/PSD) and the right-wing People's Party (Partido Popular, CDS/PP), elected in March 2002, continued to govern during 2003. There were no elections during the year.
In October 2003, the Portuguese government set out the main objectives of the National Action Plan on Social Inclusion for 2003-5, based on the EU strategy to combat poverty and social exclusion. The Plan includes measures such as increased coverage of crèches and day nurseries and the promotion of
Over 2002-3, the Portuguese government has reformed and restructured a number of services and bodies within the Ministry of Social Security and Labour. The changes relate to areas such as conflict-resolution services, and statistics, studies and planning in the areas of employment and labour. These
In June 2003, the Portuguese government issued a set of discussion papers setting out proposals for reform of the public administration, with the aim of making it more flexible. Along with organisational and management changes, the proposals include new assessment procedures and training measures
In July 2003, the Portuguese government presented the second National Plan for Equality. The plan aims to promote equality between women and men in a wide range of areas, addressing matters such as education, employment, balancing work and family life, preventing violence against women, and social
This article examines the Portuguese situation, as of June 2003, with regard to: legislation and collective bargaining on the pay and conditions of posted workers (ie workers from one EU Member State posted by their employer to work in another); the number of such posted workers; and the views of
In June 2003, the Portuguese government submitted a draft 'Social contract for competitiveness and employment' to the social partners, aimed at achieving convergence with average EU levels of productivity and purchasing power, combating tax fraud and evasion, and increasing competitiveness. The
In May 2003, Portugal's tripartite Economic and Social Council (CES) has a new president who is in favour of extending the range of interest groups represented on the Council. Meanwhile, parliament is debating draft legislation which will change the composition of one of the CES's constituent bodies
In April 2003, the Portuguese parliament approved a Labour Code which will replace most current individual and collective labour legislation by bringing existing provisions together in a single text. At the same time, current provisions are amended in a variety of areas. Generally speaking
In March 2003, Portugal's Commission for Equality in Work and Employment (CITE) organised an international conference on guaranteeing the right to equal pay for women and men. In spite of the developments in law at both EU and national levels, speakers at the conference stressed the difficulties