The campaign begins in northern cities and will spread nationwide, with unions warning that pay gaps of up to €500 compared to public-sector staff are causing high turnover.

Workers from Portugal’s Private Institutions of Social Solidarity (IPSS) will launch a “Fortnight of Struggle” on Monday, demanding a €150 monthly pay rise by 2026, career recognition, and a 35-hour workweek. The campaign begins in the North, across Braga, Porto, Aveiro, and Viana do Castelo, before expanding south to Coimbra, Santarém, and the Algarve.

According to Ana Rodrigues of the Commerce Workers’ Union, the movement aims to raise awareness of “the chronic undervaluation” of IPSS workers, who often earn close to the minimum wage. Thousands of employees are expected to participate through workplace assemblies and public demonstrations.

Rodrigues emphasized that the government must “recognize and value” these essential workers, noting that most are between 50 and 55 years old and many live below the poverty line. The campaign’s key demands include wage increases, shorter workweeks, and better career progression for social, healthcare, and support staff.

Nurses are among the most affected. Rui Marroni, of the Portuguese Nurses’ Union, said that despite recent pay raises in the public health sector, IPSS nurses continue to earn roughly €500 less, driving “high turnover and demotivation.” He warned that poor conditions are undermining care quality in facilities such as nursing homes and long-term care units.

Pedro Faria, from the Health, Solidarity, and Social Security Workers’ Union, noted similar disparities for senior technical staff. Entry-level professionals in IPSS earn about €1,150, while public-sector salaries for the same roles are expected to reach €1,610 by 2026.

Union leaders argue that without meaningful reforms and fair pay, IPSS institutions risk losing skilled professionals, jeopardising the essential social and healthcare services they provide across the country.