A few hundred policemen demonstrate this Thursday in Lisbon, in silence, to denounce “the structural and serious problems” of the PSP and to demand that the Government solve these problems.
Among the issues that led to the protest in Lisbon were the low pay, aging police, unattractiveness of the profession, understaffing, operational incapacity, health and early retirement.
In a demonstration organized by the Union Association of Police Professionals (ASPP/PSP), the protest left Largo de Camões shortly after 6:30 p.m. to the Assembly of the Republic, in São Bento.
Some of the demonstrators wave ASPP flags and lead the protest carrying a banner that reads “For all”, a phrase surrounded by images of clenched fists.
Protesters walk the streets in silence, an option justified by the claim that “Silence says a lot????????
“This demonstration aims to bring the structural and serious problems of the PSP to political power,” the ASPP/PSP president told Lusa.
Paulo Santos stressed that, if the existing situation continues, in 2023 these problems “can be transferred to the population.”
By way of example, he said that there are already difficulties “to open a simple police station.”
The ASPP/PSP also wants the Minister of Internal Administration to have “serious negotiations” with the unions, considering that this has not happened so far.
The Independent Police Union (SIAP) is also present at the demonstration, which also has the solidarity of the leaders of the Association of Guard Professionals (APG/GNR) and the structures that are part of the Permanent Coordinating Commission of the Security Forces and Bodies. Services
The Minister of Internal Administration (MAI) recalled this Thursday the “Obvious” advances in the career of police officers, who are demonstrating this afternoon in Lisbonrecalling salary increases of around 100 euros and investments in working conditions.
“The point on which I do not agree with the union and representative structures of the workers is to say that there is no progress,” defended José Luís Carneiro, who recalled the “increases of the order of 100 euros in the career base” .
“It is clear that progress has been made,” he said.
At the end of the inauguration of the “Espaço Vida — Integrated Response to Victim Assistance — RIAV”, which supports victims of domestic violence in Loures (Lisbon district), the minister reminded journalists of the salary increases provided for in the State budget for 2023 in all police careers and investment in the working conditions of the officers.
The minister has explained that the agents will have “salary increases that vary, accounting for everything [remuneração base mais suplemento de risco]between 62 and 117 euros”, considering all salary levels.
According to the minister, the increases are focused on the base of the race for the hiring of agents, This process is hampered by the aging of the population and the demands of the profession.
Asked if he believes that police careers are attractive, José Luís Carneiro said that it is “possible to work to improve them” and that is what is being done.
“We are talking about, between now and 2026, another 600 million euros to improve work infrastructures and conditions for the dignified exercise of professional activity,” the official pointed out.
The Minister of the Interior also recalled that an accommodation and housing program is being created, with the municipalities, for GNR soldiers and PSP agents, and that this year the fixed component of the risk supplement went from 31 to 100 euros.
We also have an issue raised by the unions, an agreement that was reached during the troika, of 20% on allowances, which will also have to be reviewed and re-evaluated in terms of budgetary costs”, adds José Luís Carneiro.
The Union Association of Police Professionals (ASPP/PSP) is holding a demonstration this Thursday in Lisbon against the dragging out of the problems that affect the Public Security Police (PSP) and its agents and against the “lack of political will of the Government to fix them.” ”.
The protest will take place starting at 5:00 p.m. between Largo de Camões and the Assembly of the Republic, an action that joins the Independent Police Union (SIAP).
On October 31, the date the demonstration was announced, the ASPP leader, Paulo Santos, said that “a career in the PSP is not attractive” and recalled the difficulties in filling vacancies, the aging of the workforce, the excessive overtime. and a “screaming lack of motivation” among officers.
Source: Observadora
