The Regional Secretary for Education and Culture stated today that the Government's proposal regarding the salary equalisation of teachers hired on a fixed-term contract in the Azores to the salary index levels in force in Mainland Portugal is "natural and even expectable."

Speaking at the Legislative Assembly in Horta, Avelino Meneses stressed that this initiative falls within the Government's position "to defend a considerable number of civil servants, including many teachers, who have suffered several wage cuts imposed by the National Government."

"Indeed, this measure falls within the position taken by the Regional Government to maintain the salary parity in the national and regional teaching careers and the respective salary index levels," explained the government official.

The Regional Secretary for Education and Culture recalled that this initiative "dates back to August 20." With the approval of the Government's proposal, the teachers hired in the Azores will be upgraded from the salary index 151 to the salary index 167. Teachers who completed 1,461 days of service working full time consecutively and were awarded a grade "Good" or higher will have the possibility of upgrading to the salary index 188.

Avelino Meneses recognised that the proposed amendment submitted by the Socialist Party in order to clarify some aspects concerning salary index levels will "calm the fears of teachers attached to the school staff who worry about being "overtaken" by those who have been recently hired.