SEF immigration and border control officers have threatened to strike on 24 and 25 August in protest to what they said is “a lack of solutions from the government in relation to difficulties faced by the sector”, namely in relation to taking on more personnel.
In response, the Portuguese Tourism Confederation (CPT) has appealed to the inspectors that their action “does not penalise passengers”, be it by air, land or sea.
In a statement, the CTP president Francisco Calheiros acknowledged that “SEF is essential to the operation and quality of airport passenger services and to national security”, but anticipates that the strike, which takes place in peak season “will certainly cause great inconvenience at the main entry points for tourists in Portugal.”
“Hence I hope there will be understanding from all parties involved, so that we can give the best response to all passengers who, on those days, will pass through Portuguese airports”, Francisco Calheiros stressed.
Reasoning that he did not want to dispute the reasons for the action, he said his concerns were merely with the consequences of the strike, and that while the right to strike is foreseen in the constitution, “it is not a right that can be regarded as absolute and should be reconciled with other fundamental rights, which are also constitutionally consecrated.”
The SEF inspectors strike is due to take place between midnight on 24 August and midnight on 25 August.
The union representing SEF inspectors had already threatened to carry out strike action in July if the Minister of Internal Administration did not reply, by the end of the month, to their main demands.
SEF inspectors are demanding the start of negotiations on the organic law and professional statute, the opening of an external tender for the admission of new employees, and the evaluation of SEF inspectors so that promotions and career progressions can be secured ahead of the next State Budget.
They also want an end to the picket regime and more investment in materials considered essential to their job.