Collective redundancy in Soares de Costa advances in the coming days – Jornal de Negócios – Portugal

President of the Union of Construction of Portugal said on Wednesday that the announced collective dismissal of 500 workers in Soares da Costa will advance in the coming days, with the formal communication by letter to workers happen at any time.

“Unfortunately, the worst news happened. on Monday the chief executive of Soares da Costa, Joaquim tapes, called me to say that, between this Friday and next Tuesday, will arrive Angola money to proceed with the collective dismissal of 500 workers, involving more than 15 million euros, “said Albano Ribeiro speaking to Lusa.

Contacted by Lusa, official construction company source has not advanced concrete dates, but confirmed that “collective redundancy has been announced and will proceed” in the coming weeks, as planned.

“the process is not to suspend. the restructuring will be done because it is the only way to achieve the company which can not continue to have about 300 people in sleep system for two years, receiving at home without work, “he said.

Announced several months ago by the management of Soares da Costa, dismissal collective cover 500 employees, among which about 300 employees who are at idle speed.

with regard to the payment of salaries, the source of the construction company said they have now begun to be paid the salaries of February with priority being given to workers with lower incomes.

in this regard, the president of the Construction Union again criticized what it considers to be a “discriminatory treatment” among workers, since those who are in Angola have already three unpaid wages and those who receive salaries above 1,750 euros for three months only receive this amount.

“If there is money to all be paid, for instance, 50% but at all. Because the works are done with all workers “, argued Albano Ribeiro.

The union leader also announced that, if not paid soon wages February, workers of the works course in Ribeira and in the future Monumental hotel, both in Porto, will stop.

considering that the administration of Soares da Costa “have things to explain,” the union president said sent on Tuesday “a request for urgent hearing” the prime minister, António Costa, where you want to “invite workers and management” of the company.

“we have to know the administration Soares da Costa has presented the competitions, because there are so works that are moving forward and companies that are winning tenders, “he said, still considering that maintaining two years ago, 300 workers in idle regime “looks like a mismanagement of resources.”

according to the union leader, “if there is no speedy reaction from the prime minister,” the union will “mark a plenary with the workers to take a decision probably going to Lisbon for the door “Antonio Costa,” so that it is sensitive, because you are talking about 500 jobs. “

With accumulated losses over EUR 60 million, Soares da Costa is controlled 66.7% by GAM Holdings, owned by the Angolan entrepreneur António Mosquito, who entered the construction of capital at the end of 2013, with the remaining 33.3% of the SDC Investments (former Grupo Soares da Costa) and is currently being negotiated with GAM.