The Competition, Regulation and Supervision Court (TCRS) has upheld the Portuguese Competition Authority's (AdC) decision to impose a fine of €3,092,000 on Inetum for engaging in anticompetitive practices in the labour market. This ruling is notable as it represents the first judicial confirmation in Portugal of a fine related to restrictive practices in labour markets.

The Court characterized the offence as 'very serious', emphasizing the importance of labour mobility in a market characterized by a scarcity of specialized professionals. The judgment highlighted that restricting mobility not only imposes commercial limitations but also immobilizes critical assets in a high value-added sector.

Furthermore, the Court pointed out that the no-poach agreements negatively impact consultancy clients by limiting the mobility of top specialists, which can lead to lower-quality services and higher prices. The anticompetitive practices involved bilateral agreements where competing companies agreed not to recruit each other's employees, effectively reducing competition in the labour market.

The AdC's investigation, initiated in March 2022, revealed that Inetum participated in these agreements for at least seven years, from March 2014 to August 2021. This conduct restricted worker mobility and bargaining power, potentially affecting wages and career progression.

The fine was determined based on the companies' turnover in the affected market, considering the severity and duration of the infringement. The AdC's actions reflect a broader commitment to enforcing competition rules in labour markets, aiming to enhance market dynamics and competitiveness.