Workers at the Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo (AIMA) are holding a 24-hour strike on 6 October. Their union is demanding government answers on career recognition and a lack of staff and technical resources.

The Sindicato dos Técnicos de Migração (STM) called the strike after an urgent request to meet the secretary of state responsible for AIMA went unanswered, according to the union.

Why the Union Called the Strike

The request followed a proposal announced by the Ministry of Internal Administration on 17 September. The ministry proposed an extra payment for PSP police officers and GNR military personnel carrying out border control duties, recognising the specific nature of that work.

The proposal was presented to PSP unions and GNR professional associations. STM said it prompted the union to seek an urgent meeting with the government official overseeing AIMA.

STM president Manuela Niza Ribeiro said the union received no reply. She said the strike aims to press the government to build an effective agency that protects national interests and security, while also protecting people arriving in Portugal.

The union is also seeking greater recognition for workers’ careers and more staff and technical resources. Workers say the unanswered meeting request shows a lack of government commitment to resolving AIMA’s continuing problems.

Concrete Commitments Could Suspend the Strike

Niza Ribeiro said the strike could be suspended if the government responds and reaches an agreement with workers. She said the decision would depend on the results of any meeting.

She said workers need clear commitments explaining how the problems will be resolved and by when. With concrete solutions, the union could suspend the strike immediately.

Without those commitments and a timetable, the union says the 24-hour strike remains in place.

AIMA Faces a Leadership Change

The strike also comes as AIMA prepares to lose its president. Pedro Portugal Gaspar is leaving to become a member of the board of the Autoridade da Concorrência, the Competition Authority.

The leadership change comes while workers continue to press their demands over careers and the resources needed to run the agency.

Source: Executive Digest: “Trabalhadores da AIMA estão hoje em greve de 24 horas por falta de respostas e meios”, published 6 Oct 2026.