Employee with 30 years' service denounces abuse of power and wage discrimination at Brava Town Hall

In the text released by the employee's daughter, the author states that she decided to make the situation public not only because it concerns her mother, but because she considers it to be an injustice that affects other municipal workers and that deserves a clear response from the local authorities. According to the report, Professor Bela has been working since 1995, having joined through a public competition as a kindergarten teacher.

Over three decades, says the author, she has carried out her duties with dedication and professionalism, being a figure known and respected by several generations of Bravense children and families. "Many of those who are here today have passed through Professor Bela's hands," the text says, underlining the public recognition of her work and professional conduct.

The main complaint has to do with the fact that the employee has not been paid the national minimum wage, nor has she been included in the Careers, Functions and Remuneration Plan (PCFR), despite the fact that the City Council has applied the minimum wage to around 91 employees. For the author of the post, this situation raises serious doubts about the criteria used by the municipality.

"The national minimum wage is a right for all employees, regardless of the type of contract," the author argues, adding that the legislation in force does not provide for the selective application of this right. He also questions whether there is any legal clause that allows the minimum wage to be paid only to some workers, excluding others in a similar situation.

The text also stresses the need to clearly distinguish between two different realities: the national minimum wage and the PCFR. According to the complainant, the Brava City Council is confusing or mixing up the two concepts, creating expectations among employees that end up not coming true. "Minimum wage and PCFR are different things," he adds, questioning why workers are being "misled" about their rights.

Another sensitive point raised in the complaint concerns the promises made by the Chamber's leadership. According to the report, the employee has been formally complaining about her situation since June or July of last year, having received assurances from the mayor that, on the basis of the evidence presented, she would be on the list to be included in the PCFR. However, so far, this promise has not materialized.

The frustration is compounded by the fact that the official is close to retirement after three decades of service. "It's not three months or three years, it's 30 years of work," reads the text, which questions whether this entire career will be ignored. The author also criticizes arguments that, he says, have been used to downplay the situation, such as the fact that the employee is not yet of immediate retirement age or references to the new legislation that sets the retirement age at 63.

For the complainant, the situation clearly constitutes an abuse of power and wage discrimination, as well as revealing a lack of human sensitivity on the part of the current council team. The text also questions why, if the relationship is considered precarious, the council doesn't regularize it through a decent contract, especially in a case of such long duration.

The final appeal is addressed to the population, asking them to share the complaint on a massive scale as a way of putting pressure on the council to provide answers and correct what is described as a serious injustice. The case rekindles the debate on the application of the minimum wage, the implementation of the PCFR and the valorization of municipal workers on the island of Brava, raising questions that go beyond an individual situation and that demand public clarification from the Brava City Council.

MS