Prime Minister Luís Montenegro and his center-right Democratic Alliance coalition want to push through changes to over 100 paragraphs in the country's labor laws.
Montenegro claims the changes are intended to increase labor market flexibility and boost the country's productivity, but critics fear the result will be reduced rights for workers. Instead, they want to see an increase in the minimum wage, from the current 870 euros to 1,050 euros, equivalent to just over 11,500 kronor.
The country's two largest unions, which organized Saturday's demonstrations, have called for a general strike in the country on December 11, in protest against the government's proposal.
