“In recent days, the Government has announced measures to respond to the worsening of the economic and social situation. From this set of measures, and without prejudice to others that may be taken in the coming days, it highlights its insufficient and limited character in the face of the national emergency situation”, said Vasco Cardoso, member of the Political Committee of the PCP Central Committee.

In a video released on 22 March by the party, the leader welcomes the extension of social benefits or the impediment to the termination of lease contracts, but accuses António Costa's executive of “ignoring and rejecting” the “impressive wave of redundancies, cuts in salaries and workers 'remuneration, and arbitrary imposition of attacks on workers' rights”.

“The PCP reaffirms that the immediate interruption of redundancies and the guarantee of full payment of wages (and other income) to all workers are required”, stressed Vasco Cardoso.

The communists also propose “the creation of extraordinary support”, which are considered “special support measures in view of increased difficulties and needs for parents with children of school age (namely in higher education)”, that evictions are prevented “whether in lease situations, whether in situations of default by the bank”, or “the guarantee of uninterrupted supply of water, gas, electricity and telecommunications services”.

Regarding the measures announced by the Government in the economic field, the PCP emphasizes that “urgently necessary are, in addition to ensuring the maintenance of employment, wages and income of the population, measures of strong support and economic stimulus that respond in the short term to the problems", stressing that "it is important to ensure that the country's economy continues to function as normally as possible considering the context of the measures adopted".

“In a situation in which the overwhelming majority of sectors of activity are affected by the consequences of the epidemic outbreak, the PCP highlights the need for vigorous measures to compensate for the irremediable losses of income of sectors dependent on the service or relationship with the public”, he also points out.

To this end, Vasco Cardoso advocated "the maintenance of all public investments in progress, small and large works", the "advance payment of State debts to suppliers and the granting of contractual support between the State and companies, the" maintenance of functioning of the public transport network that corresponds to the mobility needs of workers" or the "reallocation of Community funds to support the sectors most affected by the fall in economic activity".

The PCP also wants a decrease in the price of fuel and electricity, that the lines of support for micro, small and medium-sized companies be “ensured through the State Budget and community funds”, and also the “elimination of any transfer of public resources to support private banking, such as Novo Banco or tax benefits, resources that are absolutely necessary to respond to a national emergency situation”.