Madeira's only service counter for the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA), located at the Funchal Citizens' Shop, closed on Tuesday, October 6th, as staff joined a 24-hour strike.
The strike was called by the Union of Migration Technicians (STM), which accused the responsible minister, António Leitão Amaro, of failing to engage in negotiations. Union representatives stated that staff feel unfairly treated compared to other public bodies involved in immigration.
Demands from the union include a dedicated technical career structure, a pay supplement equivalent to that of border control personnel, increased staff and resources, an end to precarious employment for cultural mediators, and opposition to transferring permanent AIMA responsibilities to local integration centres.
