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Work · Portugal
Updated September 2026

🚻 I am being discriminated against at work — who do I turn to?

Direct answer

Discrimination because of sex, age, origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation or pregnancy is illegal at every stage — hiring, pay, promotion, dismissal — and the burden of proof shifts: once you show facts that suggest it, the employer must prove otherwise. CITE / CICDR — Comissão para a Igualdade e Contra a Discriminação Racial (800 204 684) is the equality body for Portugal: free, confidential, it investigates and mediates. Sindicato (CGTP, UGT) (cgtp.pt) represents you; ACT — Autoridade para as Condições do Trabalho (300 069 300) takes complaints and can inspect. Deadlines for a claim are short (often 2–6 months), so start now.

Call firstCITE / CICDR — Comissão para a Igualdade e Contra a Discriminação Racial
Report toSindicato (CGTP, UGT)
If that failsACT — Autoridade para as Condições do Trabalho

🗣️ What to say

"Since [date] I have been treated less favourably than colleagues in [pay / shifts / promotion / …] and I believe the reason is my [ground]. Examples: [dates, facts, witnesses]. I ask for this to be investigated and stopped. I am also contacting CITE / CICDR — Comissão para a Igualdade e Contra a Discriminação Racial."

🪜 Step by step

  1. Write it downDates, what was said or done, who was there, how others were treated. Comparisons are the evidence.
  2. Internal complaintHR or the works council, in writing. Many countries require this step; it also fixes the date.
  3. Equality body: CITE / CICDR — Comissão para a Igualdade e Contra a Discriminação RacialFree advice, investigation, mediation, sometimes representation. They know which claim fits.
  4. Union: Sindicato (CGTP, UGT)Representation in negotiations and at the labour court.
  5. DeadlineClaims for compensation or contesting a decision have deadlines of a few months. Ask CITE / CICDR — Comissão para a Igualdade e Contra a Discriminação Racial for the exact one on day one.

📇 All contacts

CITE / CICDR — Comissão para a Igualdade e Contra a Discriminação RacialComplaints on discrimination at work and racial discriminationDiscrimination at work, housing, services📞 800 204 684🔗 cite.gov.pt
Sindicato (CGTP, UGT)Advice and representation at the labour courtFor members; you can join right away🔗 www.cgtp.pt
ACT — Autoridade para as Condições do TrabalhoComplaint, inspection, formal notice to the employerAs soon as the wages are late📞 300 069 300🔗 www.act.gov.pt
Tribunal do Trabalho (impugnação do despedimento)Contesting dismissal within 60 days, labour claimsWithin 60 days of the dismissal🔗 www.citius.mj.pt

❓ Frequently asked

Can they punish me for complaining?

Retaliation is itself illegal and separately compensable. Keep the paper trail — it is what makes retaliation provable.

I am pregnant and they cut my hours

Pregnancy discrimination is sex discrimination and pregnant workers have special protection against dismissal. Contact CITE / CICDR — Comissão para a Igualdade e Contra a Discriminação Racial the same week.

They say I was not hired because of "fit"

Ask in writing for the reason and the successful candidate's qualifications; a refusal to answer counts against them.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

  • “discrimination at work who to contact Portugal”
  • “equality body Portugal complaint”
  • “pregnancy discrimination work”
  • “unequal pay complaint”
  • “age discrimination hiring”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

🛑Harassment at work→⚖️Unfair dismissal→💼Unpaid wages→🧾Client won't pay→

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