Former President Francisco Tavares expressed his indignation at the wage discrimination against a kindergarten monitor in Brava
Cidade de Nova Sintra, January 31, 2026 (Bravanews) - The former Mayor of Brava, Francisco Tavares, has publicly expressed his indignation at the salary situation of the kindergarten monitor Bela, who, according to him, is earning a salary below the national minimum wage, classifying the case as "sad and tremendously inhumane".
In a critical position made public, Francisco Tavares stated that no civil servant should receive a salary lower than the minimum wage, stressing that the legal framework currently in force does not allow this type of practice. "With the PCFR and the minimum wage of 19,000 escudos, there is no longer the possibility of paying salaries below this amount," he stressed.
The former mayor recalled that in the past, during the PCCS, there was a minimum wage of 15,000 escudos, as well as the possibility of lower pay for workers with reduced working hours. However, he pointed out that this regime has been overtaken, and today there is no legal basis for salaries below 19,000 escudos per month.
Francisco Tavares went further by stating that the Brava City Council currently has the financial conditions to fully comply with the law, pointing to the significant increase in the Municipal Financing Fund (FFM). According to the data presented, the FFM increased by almost 1,200 contos per month in 2025 and is expected to grow by around 1,400 contos per month in 2026, totaling a reinforcement of approximately 2,600 contos per month compared to 2024.
The former mayor also revealed that, at the end of his term, a technical study was left at City Hall which showed that less than 1,120 escudos a month would be needed to guarantee the generalized implementation of the minimum wage, the application of the PCFR and the regularization of workers in precarious situations.
In view of this scenario, Francisco Tavares finds it incomprehensible that there are still cases of municipal workers being paid less than what is legally established, arguing that the situation of the monitor Bela represents not only an injustice at work, but also an ethical failure on the part of the local public administration.
In view of this scenario, Francisco Tavares finds it incomprehensible that there are still cases of municipal workers being paid less than what is legally established.
"At last," concluded the former mayor, in a note of discontent that reinforces the debate on pay justice, the dignity of municipal workers and the social responsibility of public institutions on the island of Brava.
MS
