Public administration workers in Portugal are set to go on strike this Friday. The strike organized by the National Federation of Independent Unions of Public Administration and Entities with Public Purposes (Fesinap) will run for 24 hours. It is expected to affect health and education services the most.

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Health And Education Workers Strike

The strike will begin at midnight on Friday and end until 11:59 pm. It will impact services in central, regional, and local administration. According to Hélder Sá, the Deputy Secretary-General of Fesinap, education and health are likely to feel the greatest effects.

These two sectors are often the most disrupted during strikes. Schools and hospitals may face significant challenges in maintaining normal operations.

Impact On Health Sector And Education

Hospitals and health centers will need to follow legal rules that require minimum services. However, the strike will still disrupt some medical services. Patients with non-urgent appointments may face delays or cancellations.

Doctors are unhappy about low wages and understaffed hospitals. Many feel that the government has not done enough to address these problems.

This has created further challenges for the public health system. Some healthcare professionals have even left public hospitals to work abroad or in the private sector.

Schools will also face challenges during the strike. Teachers and school staff including operational assistants are expected to participate.

Operational assistants are key to running schools smoothly. They handle many responsibilities such as managing school facilities, helping students, and assisting teachers.

The government’s decision not to create a special career path for these workers has caused anger. Many operational assistants feel undervalued and overworked.

Minister Recent Remarks

A recent statement by the Minister of Education has added to the frustration. The minister said that operational assistants should focus only on tasks directly related to students. He suggested that other duties could be handled by different staff members.

Union leaders believe this shows a lack of understanding. They argue that operational assistants already have too much work. Adding more responsibilities without better support will make their jobs even harder.

Main Demands Of Operational Assistants

Operational assistants are asking for better working conditions. They want a clearer career path and more staff to reduce their workload. Many feel their role in the education system is not properly recognized.

The unions believe that creating a special career for these workers would improve the situation. However, the government has rejected this idea by saying it will create demands from other sectors.

The strike highlights wider problems in Portugal’s public administration. Workers in many areas have similar complaints. These include low wages and poor working conditions.

Union leaders warn that without change public services will suffer. They say the government needs to take action to protect the quality of these services.

Government Response And Minimum Services

The government has acknowledged the challenges faced by public workers. However, it says budget limitations make it hard to meet all demands.

Officials argue that changes like creating special careers for certain groups could lead to demands from others. This will make it harder to manage the public administration fairly.

Some services will continue to operate during the strike. Hospitals must provide minimum care under the law. However, the strike is likely to cause delays and inconvenience.

Parents may face difficulties if schools cannot run as usual. Patients may also experience delays in accessing healthcare. Other public services will be slower than normal such as municipal offices.

Fesinap has called for more dialogue between the government and workers. Union leaders stress that strikes are a last resort. They believe most workers want to avoid disrupting public services but feel they have no other choice.

Hélder Sá said:

Public sector workers are committed to serving their communities. But they also deserve fair treatment and recognition for their efforts

The strike highlights the important role of public sector workers in Portuguese society. Disruptions in health and education show how vital these services are for the country.

The unions hope the strike will push the government to take action. They want long-term solutions that support workers and ensure public services remain strong.

By raising awareness of their struggles, public sector workers hope to secure fairer treatment and better conditions. Their goal is to ensure they can continue to serve the community effectively.