The solution found by the Regional Government to mitigate the situation of delayed wages experienced by Portuguese workers employed by the US forces during the longest US government shutdown was “very efficient,” said the vice president of the regional executive, Artur Lima. However, the official argued that if the scenario repeats itself, it should be the Government of the Republic that takes action.

“I hope it doesn’t happen again, and nobody wants it to happen, not even the US side, because it wasn’t just Portuguese workers who were affected, but also Americans. Now, a problem is never solved in the same way; there are always different solutions for different situations. Depending on the situation, what I hope is that the Government of the Republic will take the lead,” he said.

The alternative adopted by the Regional Government, through the Azores Social Security Institute (ISSA), he reiterated, was “absolutely exceptional, at an exceptional time,” but “that responsibility lies with the Government of the Republic.”

It should be recalled that, in November, approximately 70 workers assigned to the United States Forces in the Azores (USFORAZORES) received financial support provided by the Regional Government to address the effects of the United States Government’s budget shutdown.

The Regional Government decided at the time to advance the outstanding wages through the Azores Social Security Institute, which was authorized to borrow up to €1.2 million from banks.

According to Artur Lima, “the Government of the Republic did not assume anything, the Americans assumed and paid everything to the Portuguese workers, and they fulfilled the contract they signed with the ISSA.”

“The process was carried out very efficiently by the ISSA, with full compliance by the workers, who returned all the money that had been advanced to them. And so, 15 days after receiving the money, the process was completely closed,” he said.

Artur Lima participated on Monday in the 52nd meeting of the Permanent Bilateral Commission between Portugal and the United States, which took place in Lisbon.

In addition to labor issues, the topic of soil and aquifer decontamination in the municipality of Praia da Vitória was not on the agenda, but is scheduled for the next meeting. However, the minister told DI that he is awaiting the new report from the National Civil Engineering Laboratory (LNEC) on the matter.

“There has been significant progress in this regard, and we are now waiting for measurable data,” he said.

In Diário Insular-José Lourenço-director.

Translated into English as a community outreach program by the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL), in collaboration with Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno. PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.