Background information

The Council of Ministers approved the Extraordinary Business Support Plan, entitled Energy to Move Forward, through the Resolution of the Council of Ministers 87/2022, of 4 October, which establishes support measures for companies in the face of rising energy prices.

This is a package of €1.4 billion in support for companies and the social economy to combat rising energy prices and mitigate the effects of inflation. The current geopolitical context requires policies that respond to economic disruption and the effects of rising energy costs. The response to this increase in costs is also linked to the Government's strategy to promote industry based on a process of digital and climate transition, the reduction of carbon emissions and the manufacture of more sustainable products with greater technological incorporation.

The measures determined in this resolution are cumulative or extend, depending on the case, the measures currently in force, namely those of a fiscal nature, to support innovation and to mitigate the increase in fuel prices.

Other related measures in the EU PolicyWatch include Strengthening the programme "Support for gas-intensive industries" and New credit line for companies .

Content of measure

Resolution of the Council of Ministers 87/2022 of 4 October, which establishes support measures for companies in view of the increase in energy prices, determines the launch of a new credit line for the social sector, up to a maximum amount of €120 million, to be granted until 31 December 2023 to entities that develop social responses.

It also grants private social solidarity institutions or similar non-profit entities, which develop social responses of a residential nature, a financial subsidy for the increase in gas prices, with reference to the price difference between the previous year and the current year.

Use of measure

No information is available on use of measure.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Other businesses	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Informed	Informed
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: Peak or cross-sectoral level

Involvement

Social partners´ involvement took place in the context of the tripartite Permanent Commission of Social Concertation (CPCS), which includes: government representatives; representatives of employer confederations, i.e., the Entrepreneurial Confederation of Portugal (CIP), the Confederation of Commerce and Services of Portugal (CCP), the Confederation of Farmers of Portugal (CAP), and the Confederation of Portuguese Tourism (CTP); and the representatives of trade union confederations, i.e., the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (CGTP) and the General Union of Workers (UGT).

Views and reactions

No information is available on social partners' views.

Sources

• 04 October 2022: Resolution of the Council of Ministers 87/2022, of 4 october (dre.pt)