Lisbon, Feb. 25, 2026 (Lusa) - Parliament is debating a motion by Livre, PCP and BE on Wednesday to ensure that workers in companies affected by layoffs receive 100% of their wages, and to support those affected by the storms.
At issue is a parliamentary assessment that seeks to amend the government decree that created a simplified layoff scheme for companies affected by the series of storms that hit the country, presented on the 18th, and which has the support of Chega and PS.
In addition to the parliamentary review, MPs will debate a series of proposals presented by the opposition to support affected populations, including an exemption from property tax (IMI) for 2026 in the affected municipalities, proposed by Chega and BE.
The Left Bloc, which scheduled the debate, are putting forward ten proposals that include extraordinary subsistence support higher than that of the government, rent assistance for those who have lost their permanent home, and a daily supplement of 20% of the base salary for rescue, cleaning, security forces, or military personnel of the Armed Forces.
The PCP is also bringing to the debate an "intervention plan" with various measures to support populations with costs higher than those estimated by the Government, and the PAN is proposing an exceptional financial support scheme for affected animal protection entities.
On Wednesday, in parliament, PSD MP Hugo Carneiro called for "common sense" from the opposition and asked them not to try to replace the government, warning that some of the bills could "collide with the brake law".
The same warning was issued by the parliamentary leader of the CDS-PP, Paulo Núncio, recalling this constitutional rule that prevents parliament from passing laws that increase expenditure or reduce budgeted revenue during the current financial year.
However, Chega, PS and the rest of the parliamentary left maintained their positions. André Ventura said he would try to convince the prime minister that the “lay-off” should be paid in full, but that if this did not happen, he would vote in favour of the measure, although he acknowledged he would ask parliament to assess its budgetary impact.
On behalf of the PS, MP Miguel Costa Matos accused the government of creating a problem that "does not exist" around the brake rule, arguing that this issue could be circumvented with an amending budget, which the socialists have already expressed their willingness to approve.
Livre also referred the issue to a possible amendment, if necessary, and the PCP rejected "formal excuses" for not approving the measure. The BE rejected the fact that the measures violate any constitutional rule and insisted that parliament must "honour the word" initially given by the Government.
On 2 February, the Ministry of Labour said in a statement that "workers in the affected companies are guaranteed 100% of their normal net salary, up to three times the national minimum wage".
In a statement sent to newsrooms on 12 February, the Ministry of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security clarified that "compensation in the event of a reduction or suspension of the employment contract corresponds to two-thirds of their gross salary, provided that it does not exceed three times the Guaranteed Minimum Monthly Wage (€2,760)".
According to the rules of procedure of parliament, in the event of amendments to a government decree-law, the proposals are referred to the relevant parliamentary committee for discussion and voting on the specifics, without a vote on the general principles, "unless the Assembly decides to analyse them in plenary".
After the detailed discussion, the amendments proceed to a final overall vote and, if approved, the decree-law is "amended in accordance with the law into which they are translated" and sent to the President of the Republic for promulgation.
ARL/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
