News from afpop - Friday 31st of March 2023

Good morning to you all and welcome to a Member Briefing which sadly once again has more details of strikes, disruptions and scams. However there is some good news as you’ve probably already heard, in that the government has removed IVA (VAT) on many essential food items, 44 items in fact, in several categories. Most meats, vegetables and legumes are included, as well as milk and cheese, pulses and bread. The law was submitted for ratification on 27^th March and when it comes into force, retailers will have a maximum of 15 days to adopt the new prices and the measure will last for 6 months, at which time it will be reviewed again. Let’s see which supermarket is first to announce their new prices.
 
You may also have been hearing about the new habitation law, which the government proposed as a measure to help address the housing crisis and which is likely to affect people with rental properties. The new law was approved in parliament yesterday with a few changes to the original plan that had been outlined in the press and we will have more information in our UPDATE Magazine, once we have been able to review what has been announced.
 
We have also been able to obtain a definitive response from the EU with regard to the issue of non-EU citizens who have EU spouses and their right to travel within the Schengen area and again there will be an update in UPDATE in April.
 
For now though, on to this week’s Briefing. 
 
Train Strikes
The Railway Unions announced more proposed train strikes between 1^st and 30^th of  April, which might cause more disruptions.  There is no official announcement on the CP – Comboios de Portugal website yet, but you can refer to their website:
https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/train-times/Alerts and https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/en/train-times/Alerts/strike-disruptions-april? 

Annual General Meeting
The AGM will take place tomorrow, Saturday the 1^st April at the Hotel Jardim do Vau. The meeting will start at 10h00 and the AGM booklet can be downloaded here. If you are intending to go to the AGM please let the office know in advance, so that we can make sure there is adequate seating. There are no motions to debate at this year’s meeting.

TAP Strikes Called Off
The announced TAP’s Pilot Union strike that was to take place between the 7^th and 10^th of April has been called off.
 
easyJet Strikes Portugal
easyJet cabin crew in Portugal have called a strike for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd of April after an impasse in negotiations. easyJet leaders are in negotiation  with Portuguese authorities and the union to establish minimum services. No official announcement has been published on the easyJet website, but flight delays and cancellations are expected due to this action, so passengers are adviced to check the status of their flights on the Flight tracker: https://www.easyjet.com/en/flight-tracker

SEF Strike
SEF inspectors and administrators announced six days of strikes at Easter, which might affect the border control at the airports between the 6^th and the 10^th of April, and SEF offices on the 5^th and the 6^th of April, however there will be another meeting on the 3^rd of April so this might still change.
 
IRS Deductions Reminder
Remember that as of the 16^th of March, taxpayers have been able to consult the amount of expenses that will be considered in their IRS deductions. If you notice any omissions or inaccuracies in the expenses you have until today to complain about the amounts calculated by the Tax and Customs Authority (AT) in case of family bills (gerais familiares), or invoices for expenses entitled to IVA (VAT).
There will be more information about IRS in the April UPDATE magazine and in the afpop Information Bulletin (T01)
 
Strike in Portuguese Consulates abroad
The Union of Consular Workers and Diplomatic Missions Abroad (STCDE) also calls a strike for the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th and 24^th of April at consular posts, diplomatic missions and cultural centers of Camões abroad. If you are in the process of applying for a visa or other business with the Portuguese Embassy or Consulate in a country abroad, you may not be able to reach them on the days mentioned above.
 
Fraudulent SMS
Unfortunately, the scams continue and several Members have contacted us because they thought it strange to receive an SMS from EDP requesting payment and of course concerned that as their bills were paid they might have their electricity supply cut off. The exact wording is as follows:
 
“Energia de Portugal: Informamos que a taxa de regularizacao da sua fatura na foi debitada. Regularize o montante em falta utilizando a referencia Multibanco abaixo:
Entidade: 21800
Referencia: 387477631
Montante: 17.58”
 
This is a scam text and as usual we urge Members to verify the veracity of unexpected messages before making any payment. Contact the provider and confirm the data you received.
 
Satellite offices
afpop staff will be on hand in the Satellite Offices again in April 2023. If you need advice or assistance, wish to introduce a new Member to the Association, need to renew your subscription or just have a general query, please pass by and see us. Please contact the afpop office to make an appointment on 282 458 509 or info@afpop.com    
 
The next dates of the Satellites are: