In Portugal, people protested on Sunday against the ongoing housing crisis and rising rents. A camp that was subsequently set up was evacuated using police force. As rental prices continue to rise in Portugal, the government is tightening labor laws.

Sunday morningat 4:30 a.m.: Helmeted police officers with protective shields, extended batons and accompanied by dogs. They are on their way to forcibly clear a protest camp in Rossio Square in the Portuguese capital Lisbon. The camp was set up after a demonstration against the announced change in tenancy law the day before. Several hundred people had gathered there to protect the 50 tents.

Something similar happened last weekScenesaway. Protesters also gathered at the same place and drew attention to the growing housing shortage. The protest camp was also evacuated a week ago. 31 people were arrested and 171 tents were removed. The protesters reported disproportionate police violence. Batons and police dogs were also used during this evacuation.

Portugal, Spain, Italy, Albania, France: protests for a better future

Housing crisis continues to deepen

Went to several European countrieshundreds of thousands of peopleon the streets in recent weeks. Among other things, they protested against the rising cost of living. In Portugal, these rising costs are primarily expressed in rent.

That's how they areRental priceshas roughly doubled in the last ten years. Those most affected are young people, who are having increasing difficulty finding affordable housing. In parallel with rising costs, there is also a nationwide housing shortage. The Portuguese bank estimates a shortage of 300,000 homes. As high as the housing stock in the capital Lisbon.

A central aspect of the protest isDraft lawsthe Portuguese government. They are intended to change tenancy law in such a way that evictions are made easier and price caps for new contracts are abolished.

The protest camps are directed against this government plan. They are demanding that the draft be deleted and not put to a vote. Prime Minister Luis Montenegro replied that the law will not be deleted, but change is possible.

Tens of thousands of workers are on strike against labor law reform in Portugal

Labor law reform planned

Young people are not just taking to the Portuguese streets to combat the housing crisis. The right-wing government is also planning a “Labor law reform", similar to Germany. The central aspects of the reform are the increase in maximum working hours, wage reductions in collective agreements and restrictions on the right to strike.

In response, Portugal's largest union, the Confederação Geral dos Trabalhadores Portugueses - Intersindical Nacional, called for a one-day general strike on June 3rd. Tens of thousands of workers answered the call and stopped work. The reform package has already been approved by the Prime Minister's Council. The draft is now due to be voted on by the Portuguese Parliament.

The cuts in the welfare state and labor rights come hand in hand with rising living costs. Across the country, people are protesting not only against rent prices, but also against the ongoing attacks on the working class.

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