The second day of the strike by workers in registry offices and Lojas do Cidadão (Citizen’s Shops) is causing significant disruption across the Autonomous Region of Madeira, with a 92% turnout resulting in the closure of most services on the island.
In Funchal, Building, Commercial, and Civil services are completely closed, a scenario mirrored in registry offices across almost all municipalities in the region, including Machico, Câmara de Lobos, and Santa Cruz. At the Citizen’s Shop, the commercial (GARC) and vehicle (GARA) service counters are also suspended, with only minimum services provided for cases of proven urgency.
Union Threatens Legal Action Over Data Practices
Concurrent with the strike action, the Union of Registry and Notary Workers (STRN) has announced it is considering filing a complaint with the Public Prosecutor’s Office against the Institute of Registries and Notaries (IRN). The union accuses the authority of illegally collecting and disclosing membership data during the strike, in contravention of Order No. 3876/2012-SEAP, which prohibits such practices prior to the conclusion of industrial action.
The union strongly disputes the Government’s figures, which claimed a 66.6% turnout in Madeira and 51.2% on the mainland. These contrast sharply with the union’s own data collected on the ground, which puts the national average at 89% (82% on the mainland, 95% in the Azores, and 92% in Madeira). Arménio Maximino, President of the STRN, stated that the data provided by the Ministry of Justice is inaccurate and constitutes an “illegal and intimidating” practice.
The strike, which is scheduled to continue until this coming Saturday, is being held to demand the urgent recruitment of 270 registrars and 2,731 registration officers. These measures aim to address the severe structural deficit in the sector, where 38% and 55% of posts currently remain unfilled, as well as to demand better career progression and improvements to both salary and working conditions.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
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