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	&nbsp; &nbsp;Judges from Portugal&#39;s highest court said the plan was unconstitutional because it violated laws guaranteeing job security for state positions.</div>
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	&nbsp; &nbsp;The ruling deals a fresh blow to Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho&#39;s government, which is trying to meet the terms of its 2011 international bailout, worth 78 billion euros (104 billion dollars).</div>
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	&nbsp; &nbsp;The Constitutional Court in April declared unconstitutional four cost-cutting measures, including cuts in public employee wages and state pensions.</div>
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	&nbsp; &nbsp;Portugal is in its third year of recession, with its unemployment rate hovering near 18 per cent.</div>

Portugal's top court delivers blow to austerity measures

Lisbon (dpa) - Portugal's Constitutional Court late Thursday struck down a government austerity measure that would have made it easier to lay off civil servants.