The new Minister of Internal Administration, José Luís Carneiro, has received the three unions representing SEF and one of the items on the agenda was “the ongoing restructuring process”, says MAI, in a response sent to Lusa.

According to the MAI, José Luís Carneiro assured the representatives of the three unions that “the entire restructuring process will be clear and transparent, through a frank and open dialogue with the workers' representative structures”.

During the meeting, the minister also ensured the “maintenance of the remuneration status” of the employees, that “everything will be done to protect the functional status” and “preservation of a dignified career, with prospects for progression”, as well as the “possibility of accessing leadership positions, exercising functions in European and international organisations or immigration liaison officers”.

Training

The minister also told the unions that border training courses will start this week at the GNR and PSP, two of the police forces that will absorb SEF's police powers, together with the PJ.

MAI indicates that José Luís Carneiro also realised that the restructuring process of SEF “is an institutional evolution that corresponds to a change in political options and public policies, in accordance with the Global Pact for Migration, approved by the General Assembly of the UN, and the National Plan for the Implementation of the Global Compact on Migration, already approved and published by the Portuguese Government”.

The minister received the SEF Investigation and Inspection Career Union (SCIF), the Investigation, Inspection and Borders Inspectors Union (SIIFF) and the Service and Borders Employees Union (SINSEF).

The extinction of the Foreigners and Borders Service, decided by the previous Government and approved in November 2021 in the Assembly of the Republic, was postponed from January to May due to the covid-19 pandemic.