Supported by PAN, the proposal was passed with votes against from PCP and Chega, abstentions from PSD, PPM, CDS-PP, and the independent deputy Margarida Penedo (who left CDS-PP), and votes in favor from BE, Livre, PEV, PS, PAN, IL, MPT, and two independent deputies from Cidadãos Por Lisboa (elected through the PS/Livre coalition).
Recalling the recent heatwave from late June to early July, with Lisbon registering temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius, PAN’s sole deputy, António Valente, described it as “unacceptable and inhumane” for people to work outdoors “exposed to extreme temperatures,” specifically referring to urban cleaning workers, green space maintenance staff, and waste collectors.
“As heat waves occur more frequently and are not always predictable in terms of location, scientists advise implementing action plans to reduce the risk of deaths and other damage associated with climatic extremes,” stated the PAN deputy.
António Valente further mentioned that Spain already has national legislation concerning protective measures for workers exposed to extreme temperatures, and cities like Seville, Málaga, and Córdoba have rescheduled urban cleaning worker shifts to cooler hours, such as early morning.
PCP’s deputy Fábio Sousa expressed disappointment over the absence of any reference to engaging in negotiations with workers’ unions.
From Chega, Patrícia Branco argued that “climate activism has no end,” indicating that PAN’s proposal is “another tale about climate change.”
In this meeting, the assembly approved a recommendation from PCP for an integrated and transversal youth policy, which was opposed by Chega.
On the proposal from PEV, endorsed despite opposition from PSD and CDS-PP, the assembly urged the government to recognize the “urgent need for a more balanced economic support to families,” specifically regarding the purchase of food items, following warnings issued by the Bank of Portugal, and to “study a revision of the VAT rate regime.”
Livre introduced a motion for the government to establish visitation rooms in municipalities, including Lisbon, to serve entities handling domestic violence and gender violence cases, a proposal approved with abstentions from PEV and PCP.
Unanimously, deputies approved two motions of condolence sponsored by the assembly’s presiding board, led by Rosário Farmhouse (PS), one for the football player Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who died Thursday following a traffic accident in Spain, and another for General Amadeu Garcia dos Santos, a military figure involved in the April 25, 1974, Revolution, and former Chief of the Army Staff, who passed away Friday at age 89.
Also unanimously endorsed were expressions of condolence from PEV and PS for fadista Maria da Nazaré; from PS and CDS-PP for musician and producer Luís Jardim; and from CDS-PP for pilot Teresa Cupertino de Miranda.
With Livre abstaining, the assembly approved the city council’s proposal to establish a surface right for the Lisbon University Sports Center (CDUL) over the municipal building in Lumiar, with a total area of 41,754.75 m2, for a period of 60 years, intended for the superficiary’s facilities.
Deputies also approved a series of motions condemning neo-Nazi hate attacks on theater actors from the group A Barraca and attacks on Futebol Clube do Porto supporters following a sports event in Lisbon.
