Portugal will on December 11 face its first general strike in 12 years to protest against the right-wing minority government’s planned labour law reforms, which unions argue harm workers’ rights.

In particular, his government hopes to simplify firing procedures, extend the allowed length of fixed-term contracts and expand the minimum services required in the event of a strike.

[Portuguese PM] Montenegro urged the unions on Wednesday to be “responsible”, arguing that “nothing justifies a general strike”.