Minister reiterates the Government’s willingness to reach an agreement with PSP and GNR structures

Torres Novas, Santarém, 02 Jul 2024 (Lusa) – The Minister of Internal Administration, Margarida Blasco, today praised the stance of the PSP unions and GNR associations, which are committed to “seek with the Government the best possible agreement”, believing that it is possible to reach a consensus.

“We are all in good faith and I think that both the unions and the associations have a behavior and an attitude that has been to seek, with the Government, the best possible agreement. This position is a stance that deserves all our respect and the Government is available to discuss this agreement until the end”, said the minister, on the sidelines of the commemorative event of the 157th Anniversary of the Public Security Police, which took place today, in Torres Novas , in the district of Santarém.

Asked about the meeting between the Government and the PSP unions and GNR associations scheduled for July 9th, the minister reiterated the Government’s “availability” to reach an agreement with the PSP and GNR structures, referring that the executive, “in his good will”, will listen to the proposals of each union”.

Negotiations between the Government and the PSP unions and GNR associations on the attribution of a risk subsidy remain, after three months, without agreement after the MAI proposed an increase of 300 euros in the PSP and GNR risk supplement, an amount that would be paid in phases until 2026, increasing the fixed supplement from the current 100 to 400 euros, in addition to maintaining the variable component of 20% of the base salary.

As a counterpoint, the platform of PSP unions and GNR associations, which initially asked for a 600 euro increase, now proposes an increase of 400 euros paid in three installments: 200 euros this year, 100 euros in 2025 and another 100 in 2026 .

At the end of the PSD’s parliamentary days, in Sintra, the Prime Minister stated today that the Government will not put “not one more cent” into the proposal for the security forces, saying that it has already made “a ghastly effort” and is not available to “bring back financial instability”.

The minister also considers that the executive has carried out a set of actions “to improve equipment and improve training” of security forces, noting that the Government has in its hands a “plan to improve all infrastructures in mainland Portugal, Azores and Madeira”.

Regarding the report by the General Inspection of Internal Administration (IGAE) which warned of the lack of vehicles at the disposal of the PSP and GNR and of buildings and installations in “poor condition conservation”, Margarida Blasco says that the Government’s priority is to identify, together with local authorities, “the posts and police stations that need to be restored and rehabilitated”.

Regarding the 481 new agents who today finished the course in Torres Novas, at the PSP practical school, the minister highlighted the importance of the new agents, saying that “they are the symbol of the next courses and the next young people that I will embrace pursue this career in public security.”