The representatives of the Autonomous Region of the Azores in the Permanent Bilateral Commission and the Labour Commission f the Agreement on Cooperation and Defence between Portugal and the United States, Francisco Tavares and Paula Ramos, met again with Portuguese workers at Lajes Air Base on Terceira Island on Thursday night.
During the “open” meeting, as he defined to journalists at the end of the meeting, Francisco Tavares stated that the information on matters previously discussed was provided to the professionals at the service of the U.S. forces stationed at that basis, who also expressed their issues of concern.
Professional reclassifications due to medical impediment to perform certain tasks in some specialties, due to age and physical aptitude (as in the case of the firefighters) were some of the issues discussed at the meeting.
In the case of firefighters, the representatives of the Azores had the opportunity to clarify that the existence of an ongoing process to recognise specific skills that will provide the professionals of that sector with the legal classification of their speciality, being acknowledged as professional firefighters.
Moreover, the representatives of the Region, reiterated the importance of these direct meetings with the workers, for an in-depth understanding of their work problems, “without intermediaries” and in an “open” atmosphere, as defined by the Azorean representative in the Bilateral Commission.
As Francisco Tavares said to journalists, “these meetings allow us to identify problems and solve some” and some cases do not have to be cases: they may be solved through direct communication with workers as well as with the North American entities and the Portuguese command.”
Therefore, the Azorean representative added that “we we see the many benefits of open and sincere communication without intermediaries,” and assured that the Government of the Azores is profoundly committed to safeguard the interests of the Portuguese workers at FEUZAÇORES (U.S. forces stationed at that base).