The strike by SEF inspectors at airports in Faro, Lisbon, Porto and Madeira registered a membership close to 100%, which demonstrates “the degree of indignation” of these workers, advanced today the union president who called for the strike.
«Not only in Lisbon, but also in all the main airports in the country, that is, at the air border crossings, the adhesion was full, it was 100%, which is very demonstrative of the dissatisfaction that people want to demonstrate in the face of this transition situation» , told Lusa Renato Mendonça, president of the Union of Investigation, Inspection and Borders Inspectors (SIIFF).
The first phase of the strike at Humberto Delgado airport, in Lisbon, started on Saturday and lasted until today, between 5:00 am and 10:00 am, running throughout the day at Porto airports, Faro and Madeira.
The union has new strikes scheduled for Lisbon airport for the days of May 27th to 29th, June 3rd to 5th, June 10th to 12th, June 17th to 19th and June 24th to 26th, also between 5:00 am and 10:00 am.
At the remaining airports, the strike will take place on the 29th of May and the 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th of June.
At issue is the uncertainty regarding the future of SEF inspectors after the Government approved, on 6 April, the decree-law establishing the transitional regime for SEF workers following the restructuring process.
"Full adherence to the strike demonstrates the degree of indignation of the people, there is clearly no confidence in the Government", explained the union leader, underlining that there are "constraints in the entrances" of passengers at airports.
The president of the SIIFF regretted that the SEF inspectors were not aware of the decree-law that establishes the transitional regime for workers, a document that is currently in the Presidency of the Republic to be promulgated by Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
«The diploma was not presented, we asked for a copy and it was not granted by the Government. We would like to make known to all inspectors what is there. It seems strange and bizarre for this situation to happen, because in many other areas, in similar situations, the diplomas were always known before promulgation», he explained.
Renato Mendonça said that the inspectors' strike was not based on claims, but rather "fears, because substantial changes may be in the diploma" and are not known, since the Government has been postponing the process of extinguishing the SEF.
«Since last year this whole process has been successively postponed, guarantees have been given that by the end of the first quarter it will be completed, we are in May and, at this moment, we are already talking about October. We walk here in a lack of definition, dragging this whole process forward. This is what angers people and we have been in this process for three years», he stressed.
According to the president of the SIIFF, this lack of definition «has clear repercussions not only in personal terms, but also professionally».
In addition to the transition of SEF workers, the diploma relating to the creation of the Portuguese Agency for Minorities, Migrations and Asylum (APMMA) is also about to be promulgated, which will replace the SEF in administrative matters regarding foreign citizens and integrate the High Commission for the Migrations.
As part of this process, SEF inspectors will be transferred to the Judiciary Police, while non-police officials will be transferred to the future agency and to the Registry and Notary Institute.
This restructuring also foresees that SEF inspectors will continue to collaborate with the PSP and the GNR at air and maritime border posts during the first two years.
Comments