National Workers' Union (Portugal)

The National Workers' Union (Portuguese: União Nacional dos Trabalhadores, UNT) was a corporatist trade union organization established in Portugal during the Estado Novo regime (1933-1974). It was the sole officially recognized workers' organization, effectively a state-controlled apparatus designed to integrate labor within the authoritarian framework of António de Oliveira Salazar's government.

The UNT was founded as part of the broader corporatist system outlined in the 1933 Constitution and the National Labour Statute (Estatuto do Trabalho Nacional). This system aimed to replace free trade unions and collective bargaining with vertical syndicates, bringing together employers and employees in the same organization under the control of the state. The purpose was to promote class collaboration, suppress independent worker activism, and channel labor disputes through government-approved channels.

Membership in the UNT was technically voluntary, but in practice, it was often necessary for workers to access social security benefits and secure employment. The organization was divided into various branches representing different industries and professions. Each branch was headed by individuals appointed by the government, ensuring state control over its activities.

The UNT's primary function was to implement government policies related to labor and social welfare. It was responsible for administering social security programs, providing vocational training, and mediating labor disputes. However, its power to genuinely represent workers' interests was severely limited. Strikes and other forms of independent worker action were prohibited, and collective bargaining was tightly controlled by the state.

Following the Carnation Revolution of 1974, the Estado Novo regime was overthrown, and the corporatist system was dismantled. The UNT was dissolved, and independent trade unions were legalized, paving the way for the emergence of a free and democratic labor movement in Portugal. The legacy of the UNT serves as a reminder of the constraints imposed on workers' rights under authoritarian rule.