“Practically no unemployment”

The unemployment rate in Portugal is “at historically low levels”, and this is even more pronounced in the Centre region, where “there is practically no unemployment”, according to the president of the Institute of Employment and Training Professional (IEFP).

By TPN/Lusa, in News, Portugal, Business · 09 May 2023, 19:02 · 5 Comments

“In Portugal, at the moment, we are experiencing a somewhat comfortable situation, because the unemployment rate is at historically low levels. We are practically in a situation of full employment, and in the region, not only in Coimbra, but in the entire Central region, this situation is even more visible", he said.

The chairman of the board of directors of the IEFP, Domingos Lopes, underlined that full employment is more visible in the Central region, where "there is practically no unemployment".

“There is, in fact, a lack of manpower for the needs that companies have. But this is a good situation”.

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Comments

What the Portuguese most need are decent salaries, 1.000,00€ minimum. If not let them be fulfilled by the astonishing number of econmic migrants.

By Diogo F. from Lisbon on 10 May 2023, 06:06

Hard to believe this statement from the agency. It reflects the lack of claimants, not the lack of unemployment. In my area of central Portugal the main issue is under-employment, with many not able to get full-time work. This impacts their income and many don't receive the minimum wage as it is. Proper enforcement of the existing minimum wage and an immediate increase to €1000 a month for that wage isn't unreasonable. Unscrupulous employers are ultra-exploiting their workforces. It should be unacceptable.

By Russell Taylor from Other on 10 May 2023, 10:09

@ Diogo F. A business can't pay more than the value of goods or services an employee produces. Salaries are strongly influenced by productivity. You cannot pluck a number out of thin air and suggest that this or that figure should be the minimum wage just because it's 'nice' to have!

By Billy Bissett from Porto on 10 May 2023, 11:23

Yeah, EUR1000 per month would be really great but, unfortunately, it is not feasible. Billy Bissett is totally right: higher wages are a function of higher productivity. Portugal should be producing products and services with higher added value. Most of the time, lower wages are not simply due to exploitative bosses. I can tell you that from experience. My company would pay a lot more just to retain talent. We need talent, desperately. But talent escapes to other countries. What Portugal should be doing is try and stop the brain drain (we produce the 2nd highest number of engineers per capita relative to our European partners, but these engineers leave the country); Portugal should also bet on consistent policies to foster economic growth and habitability (and not just distribution of wealth) and also put an end to the insurmountable amount of red tape plaguing entrepreneurship (all the while protecting our environment, culture and social fabric). In a decade, salaries would be significantly higher.

By Luis from Algarve on 11 May 2023, 10:13

Any person with good professional training, drive and intelligence will leave Portugal. Professional careers are hopeless in Portugal - not only money wise but in terms of value. Also, consider how people get to experience a much better and higher standard of living, especially in countries where everything works, where there are plenty of clean, green spaces and a work-life balance is cherished.

By K from Other on 11 May 2023, 16:18