“What we need is a global vision, not more and more isolated measures, like those proposed here. […] Approving them at this stage would hinder a broader reform of the sector that is desired,” stated social-democratic deputy João Antunes dos Santos, urging parliament to allow the Government to govern.
The appeal was echoed by deputy João Almeida from CDS-PP, a party allied with PSD in the executive.
The IL, represented by Rui Rocha, also argued that the bills discussed today reflect “a disconnected vision that does not completely solve the situations,” while Chega accused the PSD of “demagogic rhetoric.”
“Isolated initiatives? In what world do you live? [Providing a shift allowance] is an isolated initiative or is it an initiative to respect firefighters?” questioned parliamentarian Luís Paulo Fernandes.
In its bill, Chega proposes, among other measures, the provision of a shift allowance to members of special intervention teams who work fully or partially during nighttime.
PAN proposes, specifically, the creation of an exceptional and transitional regime for municipal and sapper firefighters integrated into operational or technical careers to transition to the special career of sapper firefighter. This objective is also expressed in the resolution project (recommendation to the Government) presented by JPP, which initiated today’s debate.
The sole deputy of this party, Filipe Sousa, emphasized that the bill opens the “possibility of correcting an injustice,” which mainly affects six municipalities, without increasing spending. Meanwhile, PAN’s sole representative, Inês Sousa Real, appealed for the parliament not to frustrate “the rightful expectations of firefighters” in the specialty, should the projects be approved in general.
The PS, through André Rijo, guaranteed that it would not block the initiatives of other parties, although, he noted, it had recently had a resolution project approved that coincided with some of the proposed measures.
The deputy also justified the pertinence of the bills by alleging that the Government is “not doing its job.”
From Livre, Jorge Pinto noted that the resolution projects presented by his parliamentary group include proposals for all firefighters, while PCP deputy Paula Santos, whose party also submitted a resolution project, warned that although solutions are needed, care must be taken not to create “new problems.”
The sole representative of BE, Andreia Galvão, assured, in turn, that the party would vote in favor of the projects “to protect the firefighters.”
The general vote on the bills had been scheduled for today but was postponed due to lack of time, as the debate only took place after the voting period, which began at 12:00.
