Portuguese Labour Market Governance in Comparative Perspective

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter analyses the core characteristics of labour market governance in Portugal in a comparative perspective, analysing the interplay between public and private regulation within the context of wages and employment conditions. This chapter describes the main characteristics of the Portuguese employment model within the European context and how it differs from other Southern European countries, notably when it comes to female and low-skilled employment. It argues that the power relationships that emerged from the transition to democracy favoured a more liberal employment regime than in Spain, resulting in a lower threshold of unemployment but also in higher income inequalities and lower wage protections. The models have tended to converge in recent years, and income inequality in Portugal has diminished. This chapter highlights the high level of female employment since the 1960s, a characteristic that is significantly different from other Southern European countries. This can be explained by specific contextual factors, notably the legacy of the colonial war and high rates of emigration.