The Minister of the Interior, José Luis Carneiro, was available this Friday to receive representatives of the PSP and the PNP, who asked him for an urgent meeting, despite the “very constructive path” that he believes should be taken.
“There is a very constructive path, but I also noticed that they went to ask their questions to the President of the Republic. We will definitely be ready, as soon as possible, to receive them and continue this dialogue,” the minister told reporters in Manguald, where today he took part in ceremony for a pilot teaching project on basic life support aimed at 10th grade students at the school.
On Thursday, the platform of the unions of the Public Security Police (PSP) and the Republican National Guard (GNR) associations asked José Luis Carneiro to hold an urgent meeting to negotiate salary increases due to “disagreements” in salaries with the inspectors of the Judicial Police (PJ).
The platform, made up of seven PSP unions and four GNR associations, believes that “disagreements” in wages were already high compared to PJ, “but at this moment they are completely and irreparably fragmented.”
This Friday in Mangualda, José Luis Carneiro assured that there are “good relations and a very constructive dialogue” with representatives of the security forces.
Regarding the “ongoing dialogue on increasing the value of some remuneration allowances,” the government official recalled that “an assessment had previously been made, particularly in relation to the service and risk allowances in the security forces.”
According to the Minister of the Interior, currently the premium between the fixed and variable part starts at 280 euros and then “fluctuates depending on the salary base to a higher value.”
“We have been assessing these allowances for the future. What I can promise is that, having responsibilities, this path of increasing remuneration as well as bonuses to remuneration will continue,” he assured.
José Luis Carneiro believed that the security forces know that this is the position of the government, “always with a sense of responsibility”, since, regarding the expected investment in the human resources of the security forces, it is “an increase that exceeds 400 people”. one million euros more than in 2015.”
“And from 2023 to 2024, we are talking about an increase of more than 188 million euros in investments in improving the conditions of wages and remuneration of our security forces,” including improved salaries, allowances and progressions,” he emphasized.
The official also said that the dialogue helped to keep in mind the “largest law on programming infrastructure investments,” adding that “there are 607 million euros, investments of which are already being made throughout the country, to improve working conditions.” security forces.”
He also mentioned a “biggest investment plan in housing and living conditions” with €40 million to “purchase new houses, renovate buildings and build new buildings to also allow police officers and security guards away from their homes to have more options.” decent living conditions.”
“We are planning a 20% wage increase between 2022 and 2026. Now there is a break, we also want everyone who has future responsibilities to maintain this commitment,” he said.
The platform believes that PSP and GNR members have been “the subject of unequal and discriminatory treatment by this government” following the approval on November 29 of PJ’s career team allowance, which in some cases could represent an increase of almost €700 per month.