Portugal drops extended working day

Portugal dropped plans to extend the official working day, abandoning a key labour reform aimed at helping jumpstart an economy hit hard by the eurozone debt crisis.
After 17 hours of tense negotiations with unions and employers, the government of Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho yesterday gave way on adding 30 minutes to the private sector working day, a measure seen as boosting the country’s competitive position and image.
In exchange, however, the government secured agreement on other reforms, including the cancellation of four public holidays, the reduction of annual holidays by three days and the easing of rules on working hours.
UGT Portugal’s second largest union, approved the agreement while the country’s largest union, CGTP, broke away early from the talks.