shock horror

[martin]

seems that things can only get better or is it worse...anyway read this

Portugal
Civil service shake-up in Portugal

Portugal is launching its biggest civil service reform in 30 years. Responding to longstanding criticism that the state bureaucracy is bloated and wasteful, Prime Minister Jose Socrates has announced cutbacks. They will affect more than a third of administrative bodies or units.

The government will also adopt a policy of hiring only one person for every two that retire.

"These measures are not aimed against civil servants. This is not about firing people," said Finance Minister Fernando Teixeira dos Santos.

But opponents claim workers' rights are being undermined. Union leader Bettencourt Picanco said: "Employees aren't being consulted on this reform, and there seems to be no attempt to safeguard their interests."

Portuguese law makes it virtually impossible to fire civil servants. That means those affected by the plan will have several options - staying in the system on a reduced salary until a vacancy comes up; retraining for other jobs; or accepting a severance package.

[Steen Jakobsen]

wrong date Martin