Thousands of police officers marched on Portugal’s parliament on Thursday to demand better pay and conditions. They demand action after years of lies telling them that their work lives would be improved, and yet very little has change. This is the biggest police protest since the Socialists came to power in 2015.
Organizers expected some 10,000 protesters from various police agencies, but official figures have not yet been released. Transport delays were abound throughout Lisbon, and the loudest chants at the protests were from Movimento Zero, an anonymous, non-hierarchical movement formed just six months ago on social media but quickly gaining traction among the country’s disgruntled police officers. The movement is strongly supported by Portugal’s far-right party Chega.
“It’s a lack of dignity, of respect. This government finds money for the banks, why not for the police?” said one member of Zero, who asked to remain unnamed. “They don’t even buy us handcuffs.”
Holding banners saying, “We protect the people, but who protects us?”, protesters demands included higher salaries, new and improved equipment, improved benefits, and health and safety reviews.
“It’s a huge injustice that police take home a salary so close to the minimum wage,” said Paulo Macedo, vice-president of a police union. It is worth pointing out that the entry level salary for a police officer in Portugal’s National Guard is 789 euros a month, compared to 1,309 euros for an equivalent position in Poland or France.
In a statement released earlier this week, police associations jointly said that the Socialist government has failed to keep promises made in its last term, “jeopardizing not only the stability of the institutions but public safety in Portugal”. The Socialists were re-elected in a general election on Oct. 6 but failed to win a full majority.
A spokeswoman from the Socialist Party said on Thursday that they support the police’s right to protest and are paying “close attention” to their demands. The Unions and government will enter talks in the first half of 2020 to review investment into the force.
