Regional Government to present Draft Bill amending Decree-Law on Social Mobility Aid - Communication

Secretaria Regional do Turismo, Mobilidade e Infraestruturas

Following the positions already publicly stated by the Regional Secretariat for Tourism, Mobility and Infrastructures, the Regional Government of the Azores, at its meeting today, decided to submit a Draft Bill amending the Decree-Law enacted by the President of the Republic. The aim is to waive the requirement for the Social Mobility Aid beneficiaries to submit documents proving their compliance with tax and social security obligations.

The Government of the Azores cannot accept the decision of the National Government to require residents and equivalent persons in the Autonomous Region of the Azores to present these documents. It disregards the legitimate expectations of the Azoreans and fails to adequately recognise the structural conditions of the Region as an outermost territory, thereby promoting discrimination among citizens.

The model now established represents a step backwards from previously agreed understandings and introduces requirements. Given their scope, they pose additional obstacles to a right that should be ensured in a clear, simple, and predictable manner for the people of the Azores.