Salary Payment
Azores Government Resolves Slaughterhouse Worker Wage Dispute, Boosts Meat Exports
The Regional Government of the Azores has resolved a long-standing dispute with its slaughterhouse workers, paying €1.9 million in outstanding back wages in June 2025 [1]. The payment comes after a strike organized by the Union of Public and Social Workers of the South and Autonomous Regions, demanding back pay, which affected publicly managed abattoirs in the Azores archipelago.
The special career regime for employees working in the Azores' network of public abattoirs was established by Regional Legislative Decree No. 11/2024/A, which came into force in November 2024. The new framework redefined the professional status and pay structure of these public-sector workers, and the government began applying the new salary scales at the start of 2025.
The back pay payments were made to resolve a retroactive gap dating back to 1 January 2024. The President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro, assured that the payments would be made in June 2025, while António Ventura, the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food, confirmed the payments during a visit to the Terceira Island slaughterhouse.
The growing prestige and quality of Azorean meat products were reflected in the economic data. António Ventura highlighted encouraging economic data from the first half of 2025, including a 8% increase in beef carcass exports and a 21% growth in meat with Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) labels compared to 2020. The renewal of animal welfare certification strengthens the region's international reputation for ethical and high-quality meat production.
José Manuel Bolieiro urged patience and responsibility, noting that "there are no magic wands to satisfy everyone's ambitions." However, the substantial wage payment implies an ongoing focus on ensuring compliance with the new pay structure mandated by the decree. While specific legislative or policy steps beyond the payment are not detailed in the search results, the government aims to maintain and perhaps further improve welfare conditions.
[1] Regional Legislative Decree No. 11/2024/A, available at https://www.azores.gov.pt/normas/legislacao/lei/11-2024-a
This article is based on publicly available information and may not cover all aspects of the situation.
The resolution of the wages dispute in the Azores' public abattoirs, as a result of the €1.9 million back pay to workers, might have significant implications for the local industry and business, potentially attracting more investments. The boosted meat exports and the growth in PGI labeled meat, as highlighted by Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Food António Ventura, suggest a positive impact on the region's general-news scene, including finance and politics, given the increased economic activity.
