Chega’s candidacy for the Funchal City Council has said that he is concerned about the proliferation of massage parlors in Funchal, pointing out that “it is not clear under what type of licensing these spaces are operating.”
Luís Filipe Santos indicates that, “in the case of wellness and leisure establishments, framed in Law No. 10/2015, of 16 January (RJACSR), the competence for inspection lies with the Regional Authority for Economic Activities (ARAE), although the issuance of the license is the responsibility of the Funchal City Council. If, on the other hand, they present themselves as spaces with therapeutic effects, then the licensing is up to the Health Inspectorate and the Health Delegate.”
The candidate for Funchal says it is essential that the municipality clarifies its legal framework. As what concerns him is that “many of these spaces are constantly open, but without visible clientele; pay high rents, that are difficult to justify given the apparent lack of business, and that there are indications that some of these establishments may serve as a front for other purposes, including the entry and stay of immigrants in non-transparent conditions.”
In this sense, Chega defends stricter inspections of these places, carried out by the Funchal City Council, in conjunction with ARAE and the Health Authority. “It is necessary to verify that these places are viable economic outlets, that they comply with the law, and that they have not become potential clandestine dormitories or irregular entry points for immigrants.”
“We cannot allow uncontrolled activities to multiply, outside the law that raise well-founded suspicions among citizens,” added the Chega candidate.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
