Rubbish mounts on Lisbon’s streets as strike continues for second day

Lisbon is grappling with a growing waste crisis as waste collection workers are on the second and final day of a citywide strike on Friday.

Organised by the Municipal Workers Union of Lisbon (STML) and the Local Administration Workers Union (STAL), the strike has left piles of uncollected rubbish across the Portuguese capital during the busy festive season, when waste levels typically spike.

Residents have taken to social media to criticise Mayor Carlos Moedas, accusing his administration of mishandling the city’s waste management.

The Mayor’s office acknowledged that the capital is facing ‘a difficult situation’ due to the strike, with union estimates indicating that participation reached 80% on Thursday.

“Despite maximum efforts to collect the waste, we are falling behind as more trash continues to accumulate,” Pedro Moutinho, from Lisbon City Council, said in a statement to Lusa news agency.

To help alleviate the situation, the council has placed 57 additional bins for organic and recyclable waste across Lisbon. However, Moutinho said that these measures are only a “temporary fix” and urged residents to refrain from leaving unnecessary rubbish on the streets.

The two unions have called for a full strike on December 26 and 27, an overtime ban between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, and a strike on both normal and overtime work from 10 PM on 1 January 1 to 6 AM on 2 January.

The STML has criticised the council for not fulfilling commitments from a June 2023 agreement, including upgrades to worker facilities and proper meal spaces. The union also condemned the decision to outsource cleaning services to private companies, calling it “unacceptable in every respect.”

“The administration has failed to organise its workforce and address the real problems in urban cleaning,” the union said in a statement.

Moutinho admitted delays in meeting some demands but insisted progress is underway. “None of these commitments have been forgotten or abandoned,” he said, adding that the agreement would be fully implemented.