The second day of the strike by workers in registry offices and Lojas do Cidadão (Citizen’s Shops) is causing major disruption across the Autonomous Region of Madeira. A 92% turnout has led to the closure of most services on the island, including the complete shutdown of Building, Commercial, and Civil services in Funchal. Similar closures are being reported in registry offices in almost all municipalities in the region, including Machico, Câmara de Lobos, and Santa Cruz. In the Citizen’s Shop, the commercial (GARC) and vehicle (GARA) service counters are also suspended, with only minimum services available for cases of proven urgency. At the same time, the Union of Registry and Notary Workers (STRN) says it may file a complaint with the Public Prosecutor’s Office against the Institute of Registries and Notaries (IRN) over alleged illegal collection and disclosure of membership data during the strike. The union rejects the Government’s figures of 66.6% turnout in Madeira and 51.2% on the mainland, saying its own data shows a national average of 89%, with 82% on the mainland, 95% in the Azores, and 92% in Madeira. Arménio Maximino, President of the STRN, described the Ministry of Justice’s figures as inaccurate and “illegal and intimidating,” while the strike continues until this coming Saturday to demand the recruitment of 270 registrars and 2,731 registration officers, along with better career progression, salaries, and working conditions.
