Pingo Doce Workers Called to Work During Storm Charles Store Closures

Pingo Doce supermarket employees across Portugal are reporting mandatory shift requirements despite the chain’s decision to close all stores to the public on Wednesday, November 11, due to the arrival of Storm Charles.

While the Jerónimo Martins-owned chain announced a nationwide closure to prioritize safety, workers in various regions of the country report being summoned for restocking and goods reception tasks behind closed doors, CNN Portugal reported.

“Protecting the lives of some and not the others is hypocrisy,” one employee identified by the outlet as Joana told CNN Portugal. The worker shared messages from the company indicating that despite the closure to the public, staff were organized into shifts to ensure store operations continued, with teams scheduled from 6:00 to 15:00 and 15:00 to 24:00.

The company maintains that it is only utilizing “reduced teams” for “prevention” and that “the safety of people is the priority,” according to its statement to CNN Portugal. Reports from employees suggest these teams consist of five people per store. Another worker recounted asking what the reason was, given that the stores were closing, and was told by management: “We came today and we’ll come tomorrow.”

Diverging from Industry Consensus

The decision to keep staff on-site follows a period of uncertainty at the company’s headquarters in Lisbon. At 17:22 on Tuesday, the Portuguese Association of Distribution Companies (APED) had announced a consensus among major retailers—including Continente and Lidl—to keep stores open to maintain the supply of essential goods.

However, after Prime Minister Luís Montenegro addressed the nation three hours later, Jerónimo Martins reconsidered its position. By 21:15, the company decided to close its nearly 500 stores, opting for an isolated strategy compared to the rest of the sector.

Retail stores associated with APED did not close due to the storm. According to the association, members implemented “restraint to the minimum essential of operations outside the warehouses” and performed “reinforcement of maintenance and cleaning work.”

Gonçalo Lobo Xavier, director-general of APED, told Rádio Observador that there is “at this moment, no perspective of stock rupture in food and non-food.” He added that schedules were set and “everything is programmed” after internal discussions to ensure employee safety and transport to operations.

While Pingo Doce chose to close its nearly 500 stores, other major retailers including Continente and Lidl maintained a different stance. The Portuguese Association of Distribution Companies (APED) had initially reached a consensus with its members to keep stores open to ensure the supply of essential goods, as reported by Rádio Observador.

Gonçalo Lobo Xavier, director-general of APED, told Rádio Observador that the sector remained committed to maintaining its network to guarantee access to essential goods.

He said that operations were programmed to ensure the safety of employees and customers, noting that while some areas would be more affected by the weather, others would remain relatively stable. The association reported that companies had already reinforced logistical plans, including the use of alternative routes to bypass high-risk areas.

The decision by Pingo Doce to deviate from the APED consensus was finalized late Tuesday night. By 21:15, the company had committed to closing its locations, effectively isolating its strategy from the rest of the distribution sector. Despite this closure, the presence of staff inside the stores has drawn sharp criticism from labor organizations.

SITCES expresses concern over worker safety during severe weather

The Independent Union of Workers in Commerce, Offices, Services, Catering and Beverages (SITCES) expressed “deep concern and indignation” regarding the move. In a statement reported by the Jornal Económico, the union labeled the decision to keep workers inside closed establishments during severe weather “unacceptable.” SITCES emphasized that the law requires companies to ensure safety in all aspects of labor, including the commute to and from the workplace.

The union said that despite the storefronts being closed to customers, staff were still required to report for duty. SITCES further stated it is “unacceptable” that employees must travel to work “without the safety of that commute being assured.”

One worker recounted being advised by management to keep her phone with her and not to use earphones while in the warehouse, so she could “respond to any eventuality.”

Reports of staff being called in have emerged from Lisbon to Porto, as well as the Algarve and Madeira. One employee received a message confirming the closure but mandating that groups of five workers still report to fulfill their shifts.