Miranda held a Workshop on the new Labour Code at the Lisbon Marriott Hotel on 29 October. Miranda Associates João Santos, Paula Dutschmann, Joana Neves and Cláudia Santos addressed an audience of HR directors and heads of legal departments from both local and foreign companies. The speakers at this event presented a general overview on the proposed changes that will come into force in 2009, as well as on the new ways of hiring and new types of work contracts, adaptability in labour relationships, schedule flexibility, working hours and workload management. The presentation closed with the discussion of the changes on disciplinary proceedings and termination of work contracts.

According to João Santos, Head of Miranda Labour Practice Group, “The economic and financial crisis has put the new Labour Code on the hot seat as company restructuring and dismissals are on the rise. This initiative was meant to clarify a number of questions that naturally come with the proposed changes as well as to discuss the most preeminent issues being faced by all those dealing with labour issues on a daily basis”. Miranda Head of Labour further commented, “The new Code brings far fewer changes than many hoped for and others feared. Until we witness a serious wager on the dynamism of collective agreements, which in turn requires some courage from public and private agents, significant changes to the Portuguese labour legal framework are unlikely”. João Santos concluded by adding “It is important to note that some important steps were in fact taken in such areas as the flexibility of work periods, fighting precarious work conditions, promoting a balance between professional and personal life, individual and collective agreements and simplification of the dismissal process”.

The Government expects the new Labour Code to be in force in January of 2009.

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See the programme of the event (Portuguese version only).

See the photos of the event.

See João Santos's presentation (Portuguese version only).

See Paula Dutschmann's presentation (Portuguese version only).

See Joana Neves's presentation (Portuguese version only).

See Cláudia Santos's presentation (Portuguese version only).

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For further information, please contact:
Sofia Justino
+351 21 781 48 69
sofia.justino@mirandalawfirm.com