CGTP-IN rejects privatization of essential public companies

The CGTP-IN Azores spoke out this Monday against the privatization of public companies that provide essential services to the region, claiming it is a "disastrous political option" that "puts at risk" essential areas and "the health of public finances."

In a statement, CGTP-IN Açores refers, in particular, to the separation of SATA's ground handling , justifying that the operation “announced by the Regional Government aims to privatize” that area and “facilitate” the sale of the Azorean airline itself.

“This is a step that, due to its significant gravity, the CGTP-IN Açores criticizes, as it is contrary to safeguarding the company, the regional economy and the interests of those who live and work in the Azores,” reads the statement, signed by the coordinator of the CGTP-IN Açores, Rui Teixeira.

The CGTP also denounces that the “concerns” about privatization extend to other regional public companies, such as Atlânticoline, IROA, IAMA, Portos dos Açores, Lotaçor, SEGMA, Globaleda and Teatro Micaelense, warning that the commitments that the Regional Government (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM) made to the workers of these companies “now appear to be disrespected”.

"With this political choice, essential public services, the balanced development of the islands, and the health of public finances will be at risk—contrary to what the Regional Government claims," ​​warns the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers, accusing the Azorean government of "disorientation" in the SATA privatization process.

According to the CGTP in the Azores, the executive initially “guaranteed that privatization would be to correct SATA's debt and, in the meantime, was forced to recognize that the debt would be assumed by the region.”

"Before, the business was on the right track. However, it has already acknowledged that it may have to move toward private negotiations, because the losses the Regional Government has consistently refused to acknowledge have been demonstrated. Finally, it reveals desperation, stating that either the company is privatized or it will be shut down, indicating a lack of understanding of the company's role in the economic and social development of the Azores, which is essential for mobility and the lives of families and businesses," he accuses.

The privatization of SATA “was not a requirement of the European Commission, but a political choice of the Regional Government, supported by Chega and the Liberal Initiative (IL), which can and must be stopped urgently,” he argues.

For the CGTP-IN Açores, the history of privatizations shows that they result in "excellent deals for big business," but are "authentic disasters for public finances" and for those who need those essential public services.

"The public interest has never benefited from the sale of strategic assets. Quite the contrary, economic and social development, autonomy, and sovereignty itself have always been hampered," the CGTP further states, reiterating the need to "interrupt these processes" and implement "a policy to defend these companies and value their workers."

In light of the situation, the CGTP-IN Açores announced that it had decided, in conjunction with its unions, to reactivate the Platform of Representative Structures of Workers of Regional Public Service Companies.

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