Portugal is bracing for major disruptions on Thursday as the two main union groups, CGTP and UGT, launch a general strike. This is the first joint strike by these unions in 12 years. They oppose new labour reforms pushed by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro’s government. The strike will affect transport, flights, hospitals, schools, and other public services. Montenegro says the reforms are needed to fix 'rigidities' in the labour market. He wants companies to be more profitable and workers to earn better salaries. "I will not give up on having a country with the ambition to be at the forefront, to be at the vanguard of Europe," he said before the strike. The reforms include letting employers extend temporary contracts indefinitely, allowing sacking and rehiring through outsourcing, and removing the rule to reinstate unfairly dismissed workers. These changes mainly affect people in their 20s. Opinions are mixed: some support the reforms for economic progress, while others back the strike to protect workers. UGT calls the package "so out of step" and biased in favor of employers. CGTP calls it "an assault on the rights of all workers, particularly women and young people." Both unions say talks with the government were "unbalanced and restrictive." Montenegro's coalition lacks a majority and seeks support from smaller parties, including the hard-right Chega. Some MPs from his own party oppose the reforms, showing wide dissatisfaction. The issue has entered the January presidential election debate, with some candidates saying the reforms violate Portugal's 1976 constitution. The president can delay or veto the bill. Unlike many past strikes, this action also includes private sectors. At VW's Autoeuropa factory near Lisbon, nearly 1,000 workers voted unanimously to strike. UGT’s Mário Mourão said, "I believe there is no worker in this country unaffected by the negative measures in this reform. It must be responded to appropriately."