Portugal: Unionized nurses at public healthcare facilities to strike nationwide Nov. 3-4

Event

Nurses at public healthcare facilities in Portugal plan to stage a nationwide strike from 08:00 Nov. 3 through 23:59 Nov. 4. The purpose of the action is to press a number of demands, including integrating nurses working on a contractual basis into the Public Health System, hiring more staff, and increasing bonuses for response to the COVID-19 pandemic, among other things. All seven of the unions that represent public sector nurses in the country will participate in the work stoppage. Ahead of the walkout, participating nurses will also hold a rally in front of the Assembly of the Republic in Lisbon on Oct. 28 to present a petition on their demands.

Unless averted, the nurses' strike will likely cause medical service disruptions at public sector healthcare facilities nationwide; however, emergency treatment, intensive care unit operations, and urgent surgeries will remain unaffected. Private clinics may experience increased demand. Nurses may hold demonstrations during the strike. Rallies will probably be relatively small and peaceful, but may cause localized traffic disruptions; potential gathering sites include in front of government-run hospitals and various Ministry of Health facilities. Security personnel will likely monitor any such demonstrations as a precaution.

Advice

Confirm medical appointments as a precaution. Plan for medical service delays. If possible, contact healthcare facilities in advance for information about wait times, which could vary among hospitals and clinics. Exercise caution near any protests.