Cameras have 35 hours to negotiate with the government – Economic

Cameras have 35 hours to negotiate with the government – Economic

Denise Fernandes

Yesterday 16:52

Four months later having received the opinion of the Attorney General’s Office (PGR) on collective agreements that allow the 35 hour work week in local government, the Finance Ministry today clarified that came about 300 signed agreements with the unions require the signature of Secretary of State for Public Administration, Jose Leite Martins. So until then, should apply the general law, ie 40 hours per week.

The Finance Ministry today issued a statement which explains that the opinion of PGR gives “legitimacy” to the Ministry Finance for concluding collective agreements public employer (ACEEP) together with local authorities “should his performance be joint and coordinated at all stages of the negotiation.”

However, the Ministry of Finance continues without disclosing the opinion of the RMP document that the Secretary of State has in its possession since May and whose publication has been requested by both union leaders and opposition parties.

“Do not translating intervention the Minister responsible for Finance and Public Administration in issuing orders or directives to local authorities, it must nevertheless the role of ensuring the principles of rationality and budget management and coordination of HR policies across the Administration public, and shall give reasons and suggest negotiating solutions to ensure internal equity within the Public Administrations and ensure the legality of these instruments of collective labor regulation response, “reads the statement.

Now so the Government will give “reasoned response” to the proposed ACEEP sent by local authorities and “develop the necessary business processes” for this purpose. The decision on the reduction of weekly working time of 40 to 35 hours will consider the financial equilibrium of the authorities and not worsening wages (including overtime), advances the Ministry of Finance.

The same source stresses that an ACEEP only enter into force after its publication in the Official Gazette “until then applying the general law in force”, ie, 40 hours per week.

For the leader of the federation Fesap union, Joseph Abraham, “it is unfortunate” that the Government has taken four months to read the opinion of the RMP and that “do not proceed any solution for about 300 signed agreements with chambers and parish councils.”

“With this, the government does not release agreements that allow the authorities 35 hours in when the cameras themselves do not want the hours of 40 hours.’s Government arranged here a political conflict,” argues Joseph Abraham.

Among the chambers who signed with unions to reduce the time to 35 hours are Lisbon, Sintra, Almada, Coimbra, Aveiro, Vila Real and others. Already the chamber of Porto decided to keep the 40 hour work week.