News from afpop - Friday 12th of May 2023

Good morning my friends and welcome to this Member Briefing. Sadly there is news of yet more strikes at the airports, although these are only warnings at the moment. There is also early season warning about the state of the countries water reserves, with several reports in the Portuguese media about the low levels of reserves in the reservoirs. As the high season for fires and the increased need for water to fight them approaches, we should all keep an eye on our water use ahead of the tourists arriving and increasing the consumption. You may remember that last year there was talk of hosepipe restrictions and there may well be further such talk as the year progresses.
 
On a lighter, but perhaps related, note, the annual International Civil Protection Fayre, called ‘ALGARSAFE23’  is being held between the 18^th and 20^th of May in the Arena in Portimão. I’ve visited it a couple of times in the past and it was an interesting couple of hours, if you’re interested in all things safety, with displays by the police services, Bombeiros and others.
 
On a definitely lighter note, the Portuguese associations responsible for cinemas and film making are encouraging citizens to go to the cinema, with a set price in participating cinemas of €3,50 a ticket between the 14^th and 17^th of May. In an effort to attract people back to the movies, they have announced “dozens of films, of all genres, from national and foreign cinema, with the intention of giving viewers the opportunity to see films that they haven't had the opportunity to see, review their favourite films and make these days a time when the family gathers in front of the big screen”.  A list of participating cinemas can be found here:  https://festadocinema.com/ .
 
… now to this week’s Briefing.
 
SEF airport strikes
The SEF inspectors’ Union has issued two pre-warnings about further strikes in airports from the 20^th of May. One for Lisbon airport and the other for Faro, Porto and Madeira airports. These strikes will affect the border control at the airports and may lead to longer waiting time to exit the airport.
 
Following strike dates have been announced:
 
Lisbon airport: 20th to 22nd of May, 27th to 29^th of May, 3rd to 5^th of June, 10th to 12th of June, 17th to 19^th of June, 24th to 26^th of June – always between 05h00-10h00
 
Faro, Porto and Madeira airports: 22nd and 29th of May, 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th of June – the entire day
 
IMI payment reminder
The payment of the municipal property tax (IMI) started at the beginning of May and the deadline extends, as usual, until the last day of the month.
If you have not received a notification from the Tax Office, on paper or by email, please make sure that you are able to obtain the bill through the Finanças Portal, along with the reference for payment by loging into their website or by going in person to the nearest Tax Office. If you need any assistance, please contact the afpop office.
 
Fuel tax discount (ISP) continues in May
The measures to reduce the cost of fuel will remain in force during the month of May. The government announced that the reference price for diesel and gasoline is currently below the price that justified the initial measures to reduce the increase in fuel prices. Interestingly they also mentioned that fuel consumption in the first quarter of 2023 reached the record of the last decade, and that fuel taxation in Portugal is significantly below the weighted average of the Euro Zone.
 
Metroline Porto approved
Good news for the good citizens of Porto, as the Council of Ministers has approved the programme of the expansion of the Porto Metro network (Casa da Música – Santo Ovídio) and the BRT Line (Boavista – Império). The work is scheduled to begin in November, to be finished in the beginning of 2026.
 
Decent Work Agenda
The Council of Ministers approved the decree-law that regulates the Decent Work Agenda (Agenda do Trabalho Digno).  Amongst the measures included are parental allowances and leave, but also the new right to self declaration of sickness for employees, which came into force on the 1^st of May, or workers day. We will have an article on this in the June edition of UPDATE magazine.
 
Banco Alimentar Contra a Fome
You may already know of BACF, or you might have seen them at our BLiP EXPO in October. Banco Alimentar (Food Bank Against Hunger) collect and distribute products, meals and food baskets to those in need. Last weekend there was another food collecting campaign from Banco Alimentar, during which they collected more than 1,719 tons of food.
Contributions can still be made via their website www.alimentestaideia.pt if you missed it.
 
Bathing Season
As the weather entices us to the beach, and ahead of the influx of tourists, the bathing season begins on the 15^th May in the Algarve and then across the country. This means that the beaches will be staffed by lifeguards and the flags will be operating to indicate bathing conditions. We’ll publish an article in the June UPDATE about this, but in the meantime the app that was created in the COVID pandemic, Info Praia application is active again, giving instant access to updated information about beaches and the quality of bathing water.
 

(picture credit info praia)

Discover Portugal course
We would like to remind Members that the Discover Portugal course is about to begin. The course is being presented for Members by the University of the Algarve (UAlg) and is designed to help you to learn a little more about this country, from its origin to the present time.
 
The course will begin on 15^th of June, with the first session, entitled “Lusitania and the Roman Heritage”. After which there will be three more sessions, once per week, at various locations around the Algarve, culminating on Saturday 8^th of July  in Lagos.
 
The cost for the 4-session course is €140 (€120 tuition + €10 enrolment + €10 insurance) per person and is payable to the University on inscription. Places are limited, so we ask any Member who would like to take part in the course to contact the afpop office as soon as possible. A full itinerary for the course is being finalised and will be available shortly from the office.
 
Satellite Offices
afpop staff will be on hand in the Satellite Offices again in May 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: