Civil servants’ unions are awaiting clarification on government reform

Public service unions are awaiting further clarification on government reform measures unveiled on Tuesday and hope there will be no job cuts, Fesap and Frente Comum Lusa said.

“We believe that whenever reforms occur, regardless of their nature,” they “should always be worth considering in terms of job security,” said José Abraan, secretary general of the Federation of Public Employees Unions (Fesap).

“I hope that the government does not intend to fire managers just because they are managers,” said Sebastian Santana, coordinator of the Common Front.

“There are not so many workers in public administration who perform these functions, and this is objectively a job that should be organized in this way,” he said, pointing out that this is an issue that will have to be considered “on a case-by-case basis.” – on an individual basis.”

The number of government leadership positions will be cut by 25% to 236 following government reform approved today by the Council of Ministers.

This number was mentioned by Presidential Minister António Leitan Amaru at the end of the Council of Ministers meeting, with a reduction from the current 315 management positions to 236 occurring in the first phase of this reform.

José Abraan said the measures announced today needed to be “taken away” and “understood”.

Sebastian Santana, in turn, said that it is necessary to analyze the strategy in more detail, recalling that trade union structures will meet with the government on Friday.

When it comes to in-person service without an appointment, union leaders agree.

“We argue that in many areas of public administration it is extremely important to guarantee a good and timely response to the needs of citizens,” said Sebastian Santana, pointing not only to “the context of people who may end up having some difficulties with electronic media” , said Sebastian Santana. but also difficult situations that may require personal assistance.

However, José Abraan warns of the need to strengthen personnel in this context and asks whether “conditions will be created so that those who serve can receive fair remuneration for the services they provide.”

Lusa tried to contact the State Union of Technical Personnel (STE), but has not yet received a response.

Prime Minister Luis Montenegro announced today that the government will enforce mandatory “in all government departments” daily worship in person and without an appointment.

The Minister of the Presidency also assured that government reform will preserve jobs in public administration and workers can rest easy.

“This is a reform that preserves jobs in public administration and gradually improves jobs and the situation of workers,” said Antonio Leitan Amaro.

The Council of Ministers today approved a reform that includes, in a first stage, the relocation from Monday of several ministries to a common building, Campus XXI, which also houses the headquarters of the Caixa Geral de Depósitos in Lisbon.