BE/Açores to propose social protection for school support workers
Azores GuideBE/Açores plans to bring a November parliamentary proposal seeking 14 months' pay and Social Security coverage for extraordinary support assistants in Azores schools.
BE/Açores said it will submit a proposal to parliament in November seeking better income and social protection for extraordinary support assistants who accompany students with special educational needs in schools. The announcement followed a meeting between the party's sole regional deputy, António Lima, and representatives of the workers.
According to BE/Açores, the proposal will be included in the debate on the Region's 2027 Plan and Budget. It would provide pay equivalent to 14 months, including holiday and Christmas allowances, and Social Security registration and contributions.
The party says the workers, who are occupational grant workers in a regional government programme for daily inclusive education support, currently lack an employment contract, paid holidays, Social Security contributions and holiday and Christmas allowances. BE/Açores said its proposal on the issue in the 2026 Budget was rejected by PSD, CDS-PP and PPM, while Chega and IL abstained.
On 12 October, a group of occupational grant workers requested meetings with parties represented in parliament to present their working reality in Azores schools and proposals to address precarious situations. Their representatives say the need for the support is permanent and predictable, and are seeking stable, fair and dignified working conditions, as well as recognition and professional valorisation within the regional education system.
This site previously reported that Azores school support workers seek meetings over job conditions.
Sources
Azores Guide
Author