(16 Jun 2012) Tens of thousands of protesters from across Portugal marched on Saturday against the current austerity measures affecting the country.
The protest against the austerity measures imposed by the government, was called by Portugal's largest union federation, the CGTP (Confederation of Portuguese Workers).
They were protesting against the so-called Troika of International Monetary Fund, European Central Bank and European Commission.
The leader of the Confederation of Portuguese Workers union, Armenio Carlos, said the "troika" is plundering the country, and destroying the manufacturing sector.
Unemployment has climbed to a record 15.2 percent, and trade unions have staged strikes and protests against tax hikes, pay and welfare cuts.
The leader of the Left Block Party, Francisco Louca said ordinary people should fight against the current austerity measures.
The austerity measures adopted in return for a 78 billion euro ($104 billion (bn) US dollar) international bailout include higher taxes, a reduction in benefits for some workers and welfare entitlement cuts.
The government carried out the austerity measures recommended by the IMF to try and pull the country out of its crippling financial crisis.
Portugal is locked into a three-year program of debt-reduction measures in return for a financial rescue package from its European partners and the International Monetary Fund.
The debt crisis has caused Portuguese living standards to drop, with the central bank estimating that disposable income would decline 11 percent between 2011 and 2013 - the duration of the bailout agreement.
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