Browse through brief employment and labor law updates from around the globe. Contact a Littler attorney for more information or view our global locations.

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Measures Supporting Return to Business

New Legislation Enacted

Authors: Ricardo Grilo, Senior Associate and Margarida Laires, Associate - Garrigues Portugal SLP Sucursal

With the enactment of Decree Law no. 32/2021, of May 12, companies can reduce normal working hours by 100%, per employee, up to 75% of the company's workforce during the month of July. With respect to the month of June 2021, companies can reduce up to 75% of the normal work period for all the employees at their service.

In the case of companies in the sector of bars and discotheques, among others (covered by a government order), in the month of June 2021, the reduction of the normal work period may be up to 100%, without limit as to the number of employees.

Amendments to the Recognition of Professional Qualifications Regime

New Legislation Enacted

Authors: Ricardo Grilo, Senior Associate and Margarida Laires, Associate - Garrigues Portugal SLP Sucursal

Law no. 31/2021, of May 24, which entered into force on June 1, 2021, transposed into national law Directive 2013/55/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of November 20, 2013, which allows the recognition of professional qualifications obtained in another Member State of the European Union by a national of a Member State wishing to exercise in Portugal, in a self-employed capacity or as an employee, a regulated profession not covered by another specific system.

New Conditions and Procedures Concerning Payments to Social Security

New Legislation Enacted

Authors: Ricardo Grilo, Senior Associate and Margarida Laires, Associate - Garrigues Portugal SLP Sucursal

Ordinance no. 80/2021, of April 7, sets out new terms and procedures concerning the settlement of any debts/payments outstanding to Social Security in installments, covering payments that would be due until December 31, 2021.

Social Security may authorize up to a maximum of six monthly installments. When the debt amount covered by this settlement exceeds (i) EUR 3,060 for natural persons or EUR 15,300 for legal persons, this six-month threshold may be extended for an additional six months (total 12 months).

Mandatory Remote Work Regime

New Legislation Enacted

Authors: Ricardo Grilo, Senior Associate and Margarida Laires, Associate - Garrigues Portugal SLP Sucursal

Resolution of the Council of Ministers No. 74-A/2021, of June 9, establishes that, remote work in specific situations (namely employees who are covered by the exceptional regime for the protection of immunodeficiency and chronically ill people) is mandatory to the entire national territory. As regards to the remaining cases (i.e., outside of the above-mentioned specific situations), it is only mandatory for municipalities at high risk. “High-risk counties” are those with a 14-day cumulative incidence of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants greater than 120/100,000 in two consecutive evaluations.

Similar resolutions are being enacted almost on a weekly basis, adding to the list of municipalities covered by these measures.