Cabrita, Jorge
Overcoming the low skills profile in Portugal
18 juni 2008
In many countries, the fast transition to a knowledge-based economy has led
to increasing inequalities in the labour market, notably the polarisation of
high-skilled and low-skilled workers in terms of their access to training,
employment and income. Over the past two decades, the pay gap between
high-skilled and low-skilled workers has been increasing. Moreover, in some
cases, the unemployment rate of low-skilled workers is over four times higher
than that of individuals with a higher educational degree. This means that
the benefits of education, qualification and certification have become even
more important in the ‘knowledge society’.
Relationship between ICT workers and trade unions
16 marts 2008
One of the most important challenges for trade unions today is, arguably, the
growth of several different forms of flexible and precarious employment
within the context of the growing spread of information and communication
technologies (ICT).
Impact of working conditions and work-related accidents on wages
24 februar 2008
In general, working conditions in Portugal are relatively poorer than in
other EU countries; this can be seen from the higher work-related accident
rates. In fact, although the incidence of fatal work-related accidents
decreased by about 25% during the period 1994–2004, the amount of fatal
occupational accidents in Portugal is still three times the EU15 average.
Flexible working hours seen as key to better work–life balance
07 januar 2008
In 2006, the International Research Institutes (IriS [1]), an international
association of market research companies, carried out a survey on work-life
balance [2] in 24 countries, including Portugal; see below for further
details about the survey methodology. The main objectives of the study were
to:
[1] http://www.irisnetwork.org/
[2] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/industrial-relations-dictionary/worklife-balance-0
Socially responsible practices in SMEs
30 september 2007
A project directed at Portuguese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
– ‘Being a responsible SME’ (SER PME Responsável [1]) – was
co-financed by the EQUAL [2] initiative as part of the European Social Fund
[3]. The study proposed to develop and test a methodology of intervention
among a set of SMEs, aiming to change management practices by consolidating
corporate social responsibility [4] (CSR) within these companies.
[1] http://www.serpme.org/
[2] http://www.equal.pt
[3] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/industrial-relations-dictionary/european-social-fund
[4] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/industrial-relations-dictionary/corporate-social-responsibility
Integrating young people into the labour market
19 august 2007
In 2006, the General Directorate of Studies, Statistics and Planning
(Direcção-Geral de Estudos, Estatística e Planeamento, DGEEP [1])
published the results of a study aiming to assess the situation of Portuguese
young people in the labour market. The research took into account the
objectives set out in the European Employment Strategy [2] and the national
training and employment policies resulting therefrom.
[1] http://www.dgeep.mtss.gov.pt
[2] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/industrial-relations-dictionary/european-employment-strategy
Number of occupational accidents on the decline
17 juni 2007
Between 2002 and 2004, the total number of reported occupational accidents
decreased by about 4.4%, falling from 248,097 accidents a year in 2002 to
237,222 accidents in 2004, according to statistics of the Ministry of Labour
and Social Solidarity (Ministério do Trabalho e da Solidariedade Social,
MTSS [1]). The immediate days lost due to occupational accidents also
declined from some 7.6 million to 6.3 million working days a year over the
same period; thus, the average days lost per occupational accident decreased
from 43.1 days to 36.7 days a year.
[1] http://www.mtss.gov.pt/
Impact of legislation on labour market flexibility and job security
22 april 2007
A study published by the General Directorate of Studies, Statistics and
Planning (Direcção-Geral de Estudos, Estatística e Planeamento, DGEEP
[1]), within the Ministry for Labour and Social Solidarity (Ministério do
Trabalho e da Solidariedade Social, MTSS [2]), analyses the current issues
affecting job flexibility and job security. The research looks at workers’
transitions in the labour market (between unemployment and employment and
vice versa) and their impact on employment and unemployment levels,
productivity and wages.
[1] http://www.dgeep.mtss.gov.pt
[2] http://www.mtss.gov.pt/
Improving the employment integration of migrant workers
04 februar 2007
According to a study carried out by the General Directorate of Studies,
Statistics and Planning (Direcção-Geral de Estudos, Estatística e
Planeamento, DGEEP [1]) (PT0608019I [2]), the occupational mobility of
migrant workers in companies takes two forms: vertical mobility (i.e. within
companies), occurring due to career progression, and horizontal mobility
(i.e. between companies), related to a context of high staff turnover.
Vertical mobility usually involves leaving the current occupation to
integrate into one of higher status, which is the case in 25% of the
companies surveyed as part of the study. Horizontal mobility of migrant
workers implies performing the same job tasks with the same occupational
status in a different company. In the companies surveyed, staff turnover
rates range between 3% and 300%; in most cases, the average turnover varies
from 35% to 65% a year.
[1] http://www.dgeep.mtss.gov.pt
[2] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/undefined/occupational-mobility-of-immigrant-workers
Measuring job satisfaction in surveys - Comparative analytical report
03 februar 2007
This report provides a comparative overview of how job satisfaction is measured in national working conditions surveys, based on 16 national contributions to a questionnaire. It investigates conceptual and methodological issues in the study of job satisfaction. The report then examines survey results on levels of general or overall job satisfaction among workers, as well as identifying the relationship between specific factors relating to work and job satisfaction.