The Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity said today that the creation of the Regional Commission for Equality at Labour and Employment (CRITE) is "a clear sign that the defence of equality of opportunities "is not mere rhetoric, but a strategic and structuring goal for the Azorean Government."

"The work developed by this commission is a further contribution to make Autonomous Region of the Azores a more egalitarian and just society, stressed Piedade Lalanda. The government official also emphasised that body was created "to defend and promote fairer relations in the labour world."

In this context, Piedade Lalanda mentioned that workers, as well as companies, "may rely on actions aimed at the promotion of good practices, the protection of motherhood and fatherhood and the defence of the conciliation of work life with personal and family life."

Speaking during the swear-in ceremony of the new members of CRITE Açores, held in Ponta Delgada, the Regional Secretary stated that this body is expected to have "the necessary strength when dealing with situations that threaten the equality of citizens' rights in the workplace and labour world."

"When there is a case of inequality, even just a single case, CRITE Açores will do everything to defend and protect workers," assured the government official.

Piedade Lalanda defended that it is "extremely important" that Azorean citizens become better acquainted with this commission, to which they can submit their complaints "when there are situations that violate the legal provisions on equality and non-discrimination between women and men at work, employment and vocational training; situations that endanger the duty of protecting parenthood or that pose an obstacle to the conciliation of work life with family and personal life."

The Regional Secretary pointed out that CRITE Açores monitored 22 cases last year; the vast majority concerned the non-renewal of work contracts of pregnant and nursing women.

In 2011, the year when the commission was created, this body monitored seven cases.

In addition to the reports issued by CRITE Açores in the last two years, several dissemination actions were organised in partnership with the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of São Miguel, Terceira and Faial as well as various actions addressed at workers. This body has also created a brochure that was distributed among the entities to which the members of the commission belong and other public entities, including cooperatives, schools and health units.
 
The Regional Secretary also noted that the information on this commission is available on the website of the Regional Directorate for Social Solidarity on the Regional Government Portal.

CRITE-Açores, a body under the jurisdiction of the Vice-Presidency of the Government of the Azores and the Regional Secretariat for Social Solidarity, has the power of issuing reports at the request of the services overseeing labour inspection matters in the Region, courts, regional administration services, employers' and employees' union associations or any interested party.

This commission composed of the representatives of the following entities: the Regional Directorates for Social Solidarity, for Employment, Vocational Training and Consumer Defence, for Organisation and Public Administration; Regional Labour Inspectorate; CGTP/Açores (General Union of Workers/Azores); UGT/Açores (General Union of Workers/Azores); Azores Trade and Public Works Association and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Azores.