Africa-Press – Cape verde. Customs officials in Cape Verde have given notice of a strike, beginning on the 22nd and lasting indefinitely, “due to the persistent violation of labor rights and lack of social dialogue” by the Ministry of Finance.
The announcement was made by the union representative of the Cape Verde Customs Union, Jorge dos Reis Pinto, who explained that the decision stems from the impact that the State reform has had on the customs class.
He stated that, with the creation of the National Directorate of State Revenue and the approval of its respective statute, approximately 80 percent (%) of employees were placed in category I, corresponding to the beginning of their careers, a situation which, he said, “is unfair and demotivating.”
“With the creation of the Tax and Customs Authority, through Decree-Law No. 34/2025 and without first resolving a number of pending issues, basically 80% of these employees are disadvantaged,” he reinforced.
Another central point of contention, he added, concerns the inclusion of salary supplements in the contribution base for Social Security.
The union representative indicated that the proposal foresees the taxation of these supplements, which are currently not taxed, without, however, guaranteeing the proper integration of workers into Social Security.
The union representative also warned of the risks associated with the sustainability of the Customs Social Fund, which has existed for over 30 years.
He explained that the new model could jeopardize the stability of the fund, which provides important support to active employees, particularly in access to medication, medical consultations, bereavement benefits, and support for children’s education.
Another demand, according to Jorge dos Reis Pinto, is the alleged misalignment with international best practices.
“Although Cape Verde frequently adopts the Portuguese model in fiscal and customs matters, in the remuneration system the Government intends to modify a model that, in Portugal, maintains two distinct funds [Customs and Contributions/Taxes], preserving acquired rights and remuneration statutes,” he added.
He further stated that the proposal under discussion foresees the creation of a single fund, aggregating the Directorate-General of Contributions and Taxes and Customs, which contradicts the current model.
Jorge dos Reis Pinto stressed that the workers are not demanding salary increases, but rather the stability of the customs career, defending the maintenance of the historical model of supplementary remuneration, a practice consolidated for decades.
The union leader reiterated that the strike is a direct consequence of the lack of effective social dialogue and aims exclusively at the legitimate and legal defense of the rights of customs officials.
The union also criticized the issuance of a document by the Council of Ministers “without prior consultation with the union and without sharing or discussing” its content with the workers.
Despite the prior notice already having been delivered to the General Directorate of Labor, the union assured that it is available to dialogue should there be openness on the part of the National Directorate of State Revenue.
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