Broken air conditioning leaves Algarve tax offices sweltering – union

A trade union representing tax authority workers is calling for urgent action after warning that several tax offices across the Algarve are operating without functioning air conditioning, leaving staff working in excessive heat during the summer.

According to the Union of Tax Workers (STI), finance offices in Albufeira, Faro, Lagoa, Portimão, Silves, Tavira and Vila do Bispo have completely broken air conditioning systems, while offices in Aljezur, Loulé and Vila Real de Santo António are experiencing ongoing faults.

The union says the situation is not confined to the Algarve but forms part of a wider pattern of deteriorating working conditions across the country.

“These are not isolated cases, but rather a persistent pattern of underinvestment that puts workers’ health at risk and compromises the functioning of public services,” the union says. “The silence and inaction of the responsible authorities have alarmingly worsened an already unsustainable situation, particularly at a time when the country is experiencing successive heatwaves.”

The STI says employees are being forced to work in temperatures that exceed acceptable limits.

“Workers are exposed to temperatures that clearly exceed acceptable limits for carrying out their duties, putting their health and safety at risk,” the union warns.

According to the STI, the excessive heat not only affects staff wellbeing but also impacts the public.

“These conditions compromise the quality of customer service, make the normal functioning of public services more difficult and violate basic principles of workplace safety and dignity,” the union says.

As a result, the STI has asked the Authority for Working Conditions (ACT) to carry out urgent inspections at several finance offices across Portugal and has also filed complaints with health authorities where conditions were considered particularly serious.

According to the union, some offices have already been inspected more than once because of recurring problems, yet “the vast majority” of faults remain unresolved.

The organisation argues that the issue now goes beyond simple legal non-compliance.

“This scenario of institutional negligence goes beyond merely failing to comply with the law. These unhealthy working conditions wear workers down, reduce productivity and, above all, damage their health.”

Michael Bruxo

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.