Porto, Portugal — November 10, 2024
In a wave of protests, workers took to the streets of Porto yesterday in response to mass layoffs at Foundever Portugal, S.A., a multinational company operating call centers in Portugal. The strike, organized by SINTTAV (Portugal’s National Union for Telecommunications and Audiovisual Workers), was triggered by what the union describes as the unjust and possibly illegal termination of hundreds of workers, many of whom are foreign nationals recruited under promises of stability.
Layoffs Announced Abruptly via Videoconference
According to a recent official document released by SINTTAV, Foundever informed its employees through videoconference that their employment contracts were set to end, affecting what is reported to be “hundreds” of workers. The announcement came unexpectedly, leaving many workers shocked and uncertain about their future. Foundever attributed these layoffs to a “reduction in service demand” from its client, Airbnb, for whom these employees were providing customer support in French. 
The majority of affected workers are emigrants who had been specifically recruited for their language skills. They report that promises of stable employment played a decisive role in their decision to relocate to Portugal. However, these recent terminations have left many feeling deceived, as they now face sudden displacement in a foreign country, far from their families and with limited local support.
Call Centers and Precarious Work Conditions in Portugal
SINTTAV’s document underscores the precarious nature of the call center industry in Portugal, where thousands of employees work under short-term or outsourcing contracts, often receiving minimum wage despite the specialized demands of their roles. Foundever, like many multinational corporations operating in Portugal’s call center sector, relies heavily on temporary contracts, which leaves workers vulnerable to sudden dismissals without the protections typically granted to permanent employees.
Legal Concerns: DGERT Investigates Potential Violations
The layoffs have sparked legal concerns, with SINTTAV advising affected workers to report the incident to the DGERT (Directorate-General for Employment and Labour Relations) and ACT (Authority for Working Conditions), Portugal’s primary labor regulatory bodies. According to SINTTAV, DGERT has indicated that the terminations might constitute a serious violation of labor laws if legal procedures were not followed precisely.
In Portugal, strict labor laws exist to protect workers from arbitrary dismissals and ensure that employment termination procedures are conducted transparently and in accordance with contractual terms. SINTTAV asserts that Foundever’s actions, particularly if they failed to follow required formalities, may be grounds for significant penalties under Portuguese labor law. The union is closely monitoring the situation to safeguard the rights of the affected employees.
SINTTAV’s Commitment to Protecting Worker Rights
SINTTAV has voiced its commitment to defending these workers and ensuring that Foundever is held accountable for its actions. Union representatives argue that employees should be treated with respect and not as “disposable assets,” especially those who have made considerable sacrifices by moving abroad under assurances of job stability.
Yesterday’s strike in Porto was a powerful display of solidarity, with SINTTAV warning that additional protests may follow if Foundever does not address the concerns of its former employees. This mobilization highlights the need for stricter enforcement of labor protections in Portugal’s call center industry, where job insecurity remains a prevalent issue.
As this case unfolds, it underscores the union’s stance that every employee deserves fair treatment and the right to stable, secure employment. SINTTAV is urging Foundever and similar companies to reconsider their reliance on temporary and precarious contracts that often leave workers vulnerable to abrupt job losses.
Source : https://sinttav.pt/2024/10/29/despedimentos-na-foundever-portugal-podera-configurar-uma-ilegalidade/
