Thousands take to Lisbon streets over Portugal's proposed labour laws

The government wants to make it easier for employers to fire people and to limit some compassionate leave.

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The centre-right government wants to make it easier for employers to fire people, outsource work to other companies, and limit some types of compassionate leave, including cutting bereavement leave for women who suffer miscarriages.

It says the measures are needed to improve job flexibility and increase productivity in one of western Europe's poorest countries.

The head of Portugal's largest union, CGTP, called the reforms "one of the greatest attacks ever made against workers" in the country and announced a general strike for 11 December.

The bill is likely to pass in parliament with support from far-right party Chega.