Lisbon, Sept. 12, 2025 (Lusa) - The CGTP union confederation leader João Barreiros criticised in parliament the legislative package of changes to the law on nationality and foreigners, which extend the deadlines for applying for citizenship and place the hiring model in the hands of employers.
Speaking at a hearing in the Committee on Constitutional Affairs, Rights, Freedoms and Guarantees on the new nationality law, João Barreiros considered that "the changes to the nationality law in terms of criteria for granting, acquiring, losing and consolidating Portuguese nationality and the impact it has on fundamental rights and principles recognised in the Constitution" imply "a weakening of the conditions for immigrants to remain in the country".
The changes are "a factor that enhances the exploitation of these workers and attacks their rights, because these proposals, in our opinion, weaken the stability of immigrant workers, putting them in a situation where they are easy targets for intensified exploitation and a greater attack on labour rights," said the union leader.
According to João Barreiros, "the existence of any so-called effect resulting from the greater permissiveness of the rules for acquiring nationality has not been proven" and most of the applications are made by Sephardic Jews or descendants of Portuguese living in the country.
Furthermore, "we see no valid reason for refusing nationality to children born in Portugal as long as their parents have been legally resident for a reasonable period of time," he said, also emphasising that the proposed increase in the minimum length of residence for access to Portuguese citizenship is an "excessive requirement".
On the contrary, the CGTP argues, the best option is to strengthen integration, ensuring the social and labour stability of foreigners.
João Barreiros also criticised the new entry rules, which reflect "a nationalistic and discriminatory view of immigrant citizens".
This proposal is an "attack on the living and working conditions of immigrant workers", putting them in a precarious situation, almost a "reserve force that also allows us to attack the rights of all workers", he added.
PJA/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
