Portuguese consular workers in Brazil have announced a four-week strike scheduled to take place from March 3 to 27, 2024. The strike, organized by the Sindicato dos Trabalhadores Consulares, das Missões Diplomáticas e dos Serviços Centrais do Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros (STCDE), is a response to ongoing salary disputes. 

It’s not yet clear whether the planned strike will proceed, but if it does, it will affect consular services, including Portugal visa processing. This article gives Portuguese employers an overview of the situation and potential impacts on their businesses and employee relocations.

What Is the Reason Behind the Strike?

The strike is the result of a long-standing issue over salary payments for Portuguese consular staff in Brazil. Unlike other Portuguese public workers abroad, these employees are paid in Brazilian reais instead of euros. Their salaries are frozen at an outdated exchange rate of 1 euro to 2.638 reais (current rate is around 6.0127 reais to 1 euro), meaning workers earn less than half of what they should.

In December 2022, a 48.9% salary adjustment was announced to account for the real’s depreciation, but workers argue this is insufficient. They’re currently demanding a permanent shift to euro-based salaries to ensure fair compensation and parity with other Portuguese public servants abroad.

How Will the Strike Impact Portugal Visa Processing?

The strike will occur in four separate week-long blocks:

- March 3-6
- March 10-13
- March 17-20
- March 24-27

During these periods, minimum services will be available every Friday, but delays in Portugal visa processing and other consular services are likely. This comes at a time when visa processing in Brazil is already facing significant delays, which has become a common issue for applicants.

What’s the Current Situation with Visa Processing in Brazil?

Visa processing delays in Brazil are not new. Recent immigration changes requiring Brazilian nationals to apply for a visa to relocate to Portugal have significantly increased the workload for consular sections. While some cases are processed within legal timeframes, others face delays of up to 100 days or more - leading to protests and complaints from applicants.

The Portuguese government has acknowledged the lack of capacity in consular sections and plans to expand its team this trimester. However, delays have also been linked to inefficiencies with VFS Global, the external company handling visa processing. 

What Does This Mean for Employee Relocation and Visa Applicants?

For businesses managing employee relocation to Portugal, the strike could worsen existing delays. Applications currently delayed by VFS and sent to the Consulate during March may not be finalized until April.

What Should Businesses And Visa Applicants Do?

For businesses managing employee relocation in Portugal and their employees, it’s essential to:

-> Plan ahead: Account for potential delays and submit applications as early as possible.

-> Stay informed: Monitor updates from the Consulate and VFS Global for any changes to processing timelines.

-> Communicate with stakeholders: Keep your team informed about potential delays and set realistic expectations.

-> Partner with Global Mobility Experts: Rely on local expertise to handle visa applications and ensure the smoothest possible relocation experience for employees.

While the strike may cause temporary disruptions, the Portuguese government is actively working to address capacity issues and improve the efficiency of its consular services.

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