The Parliament of Portugal has taken action to address the concerns of firefighters one week after they protested outside the Portuguese Parliament. The protests highlighted their frustration with the lack of support from government for their profession. Better working conditions and recognition of the daily dangers that they face were demands made by firefighters.

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Portuguese Parliament Responds To Firefighters Demands

Members of Parliament took an important step on Tuesday. They approved general proposals to recognize firefighting as a high risk profession. Better working conditions for professional and volunteer firefighters are another objective of the measures.

This is a significant step towards supporting volunteer and professional firefighters who have been neglected by the government.

The Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) introduced two bills that focused on recognizing firefighters as a profession that involves risk and physical strain. These bills received support from several political parties which include CHEGA, Bloco de Esquerda, PCP, Livre, and PAN. Other larger parties like the PSD, PS, Iniciativa Liberal (IL), and CDS did not vote for the bills.

Members of Parliament stood and applauded the firefighters who had attended the session after the vote. Many of the firefighters were dressed in uniform and watching from the public galleries. The loud applause signified a greater understanding of their demands.

Political Parties Debate Firefighters Demands

Political parties had different views on how to handle the issue. Member of PSD José Antunes dos Santos said that the government had recently announced a new working group. This group will focus on creating a proposal to improve the career structure, benefits, and training for both volunteer and professional firefighters. He emphasized that the process will bring better solutions than the ones proposed by the PCP.

José Antunes dos Santos said:

The creation of the working group will be the start of a process that we want to be quick, effective and structural in order to give firefighters and the country better solutions than those presented by the PCP

He criticized the PCP’s bill and called it populist and politically motivated. He also mentioned that the PCP did little to help firefighters when they were part of the governing coalition during the geringonça period.

PS deputy André Rijo also agreed that there is an urgent need to improve firefighters’ working conditions. But he said the responsibility for making these changes is mainly on the government. He was hopeful that the new working group would deliver a fair outcome for firefighters.

André Rijo said:

It is primarily up to the government to push through legislation to make changes to the careers and conditions of public administration professionals

Rijo criticized the PCP’s approach but admitted that the situation required quick action. He said the PS had presented better resolutions on the issue in the past but still voted in favor of the current bills to show support for firefighters.

CHEGA’s Support For Immediate Action

CHEGA leader André Ventura took a more direct approach. He said it did not matter who proposed. The most important thing was for Parliament to take action.

Ventura said:

This is something that needed to be approved here in the house of democracy, and it needed to happen now

This view was shared by most political parties. There was a general understanding that firefighters’ demands were justified and overdue for attention despite some disagreements over the details of the proposals.

Firefighters’ Demands In Protest

Firefighters in Portugal have asked for better recognition of the risks and improved working conditions for years. These include fighting wildfires, responding to accidents, and other life threatening emergencies.

Their profession has not been formally recognized as one that involves high risk and physical wear. This has led to dissatisfaction especially as wildfires in Portugal have increased in frequency and intensity in recent years.

Last week’s protests outside Parliament were a clear sign of their dissatisfaction. Firefighters voiced their anger at the government for failing to act on their demands. Many feel that they have been ignored by previous administrations. The recent attention in Parliament is a step toward addressing their concerns, but there is still more work to be done.