NPCP has raised concerns regarding the critical situation of Portuguese workers at Lajes Air Base. Addressing the Foreign Minister, Paulo Rangel, through the Assembly of the Republic, the party highlighted the pervasive uncertainty surrounding job security and precarious employment conditions, compounded by a lack of response from the responsible entities overseeing the base.
The party asserted that workers essential to the operation of Lajes Air Base have faced significant violations of their legal rights, including dismissals, professional and salary devaluation, and a climate of ongoing insecurity.
The statement expressed profound discontent and indignation over what has been described as an unprecedented breach of rights and lack of recognition for the Portuguese workforce at the base.
PCP insists that the Portuguese Government should defend these workers’ labor rights and ensure, in coordination with relevant US authorities under the Cooperation and Defense Agreement, the implementation of measures like wage increases in 2025 and that no worker receives a base salary below the minimum monthly wage guaranteed in the Autonomous Region of the Azores.
The party has requested clarification from Paulo Rangel regarding the current status of wages for Portuguese workers at Lajes Air Base. “What steps has the Portuguese Government taken or plans to take to engage with the United States authorities to ensure wage payments for these workers and secure their future?” they asked.
PCP also inquired whether the government intends to cover the unpaid wages should the US authorities fail to do so.
The Azores’ Union of Workers in Manufacturing, Food, Commerce, Offices, Tourism, and Transport Industries (SITACEHTT) has appealed to the Portuguese state to cover the wages of Lajes Base workers if the Americans do not fulfill this obligation. “Payments are the responsibility of the Americans. If they fail to make these payments, we believe it will fall to the Portuguese State to assume these payments because it represents these workers,” stated SITACEHTT Azores coordinator Vítor Silva at a press conference.
Portuguese workers serving Feusaçores, the US forces stationed at Lajes on Terceira Island, receive their wages bi-weekly. However, they did not receive the equivalent for October 1-4 due to a temporary unpaid suspension affecting US public employees, following a partial US government shutdown due to budget approval issues. This suspension may jeopardize the next scheduled payment on October 24.
