The President of the Government received today the President of the Economic and Social Council of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, Gualter Furtado, a body was recently approved by the Legislative Assembly following a proposal presented by the Azorean Government. It was created as a result of a process of dialogue and consultation conducted with several social partners.
 
“For the Regional Government, this moment is important for several reasons. Firstly, the configuration of the Economic and Social Council is the result of a decision taken at the Legislative Assembly. Secondly, it is the result of a proposal presented by the Azorean Government, after a process of dialogue and consultation with social partners, namely the Azores Agricultural Federation, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Azores and UGT-Açores (General Union of Workers),” said Vasco Cordeiro.
 
Following the meeting with Gualter Furtado, held in Ponta Delgada, the President of the Government stressed that the creation of this Economic and Social Council is also relevant due its functions assigned under the law approved by the Parliament. In fact, this is an independent and advisory collegiate body that will assist regional governing bodies - the Government of the Azores and the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores.
 
“Hence, the creation of this independent and advisory collegiate body to assist the Government and the Assembly in economic, social, labour and environmental matters represents a significant step towards the consolidation and structuring of our Autonomy," said Vasco Cordeiro.
 
Speaking to journalists, the President of the Government also stated that, besides all channels of consultation and dialogue, the structuring of a body with these advisory functions will provide the Region with an entity that will be able to pronounce on the aforementioned matters on its own initiative and not just when requested to do so.
 
Under the terms of the Azores Political-Administrative Statute, the Economic and Social Council is chaired by a person elected at the Legislative Assembly by a two-thirds majority.
 
It is composed of the following members: four members of the Regional Government, eight representatives of workers, eight representatives of employers' organisations, three representatives of local authorities, two representatives of private social solidarity institutions, one representative of consumer protection associations, one representative of environmental protection associations, two representatives of the cooperative sector, one representative of gender equality associations and one representative of associations for people with disabilities.
 
Additionally, this Council also includes a representative of the University of the Azores, a representative of Azorean youth, representatives of the Autonomous Region of the Azores to the Economic and Social Council and three personalities of acknowledged merit in the areas of competence of the Council to be appointed by the Council itself.