A day that began at the gates of hundreds of companies, in contact with thousands of workers and that ended in Parliament. Precariousness, low wages, deregulation of working hours, blackmail by employers, in a word: the exploitation of workers in Portugal was echoed in the Assembly of the Republic by the voice of communist MPs. The denunciation was coupled by the concrete proposal for the resumption and achievement of rights (of decent wages, decent hours, fight against precariousness and "low-cost" dismissals) but also by a direct call to continue on the streets, for struggle, company by company, sector by sector, right by right, working time by working time: "let no one disarm in the battle for the right to work with rights".

What a beautiful congress that the Portuguese Communist Youth held in these two days! A rich debate and knowledge of reality! Connection to the concerns, interests and aspirations of the Youth! A live debate, driven by the interest to look further, to seek the right solutions to the problems and the ways to get there!

I welcome the participants in this Conference on «Social Rights and Work with Rights», as well as all those who, denouncing the problems facing the workers and the people and pointing out solutions to ensure their rights and aspirations, are carrying out throughout this week, the Journeys "In defence of employment and workers' rights, against exploitation - No to the impositions of the European Union", with dozens of initiatives - conferences, hearings, meetings and visits - in the districts of Braga, Bragança, Lisbon, Porto, Viana do Castelo and Vila Real.

We are holding our initiative as part of the PCP’s campaign on “Employment and workers' rights, against exploitation” under the theme “Valorise wages, defend employment”, two days after the 47th.