In the specialized votes for the 2026 State Budget held this afternoon in the plenary session, deputies approved Chega’s amendment, with the proposer, PS, and BE voting in favor, PSD and CDS-PP voting against, and IL, Livre, and PCP abstaining.
“In 2026, the Government will establish an emergency salary protocol to safeguard the civilian workers of the Lajes Base in the Azores during occasions when their incomes are affected by U.S. government shutdowns,” states the approved text.
According to the explanatory note, in October, Portuguese workers at this base experienced salary delays due to the U.S. government’s shutdown.
“Although a solution was found by the Regional Government of the Azores, through coordination with local banks and social security, it is necessary to ensure a feasible, effective, and consistent response to the risk of recurring shutdowns, given the increasingly common budgetary blockages in the United States,” justifies the Chega party.
The proposal’s explanatory note indicates there is “a legal gap where workers have the right, but lack practical means to enforce it.”
“It is crucial to address the core issue concerning the responsibility of the Portuguese State in situations of vulnerability faced by Portuguese civilian workers at the Lajes Base. Therefore, it is imperative that the Government creates solutions tailored to reality to ensure a swift and effective response that safeguards the income of these workers,” it asserts.
