Positive impression of new gov’t from Portugal’s cabinet member

The Secretary of State of Portuguese Communities Abroad, José Cesário, said yesterday that he has “a very good impression” of the new government’s secretaries, several of whom he met yesterday.
The politician revealed that the Secretary for Security, Wong Sio Chak, assured him that Portuguese citizens “will continue to enjoy a treatment of positive discrimination” concerning residency permits.
As the Times reported last August, Portuguese nationals are claiming to face difficulties when trying to obtain residency permits. Various applicants have had to deal with initial rejection, with authorities providing them an opportunity to argue their case through a written hearing.
One of the reasons for rejecting an application is related to social and economic matters. Several applicants who were offered salaries below MOP20,000 saw their residency permit requests denied, although some people with salaries above MOP20,000 have also been rejected, according to media reports.
However, during yesterday’s meeting, Wong Sio Chak told José Cesário that “there’s total availability to cooperate with us [Lisbon’s government] and with the Portuguese Consulate when trying to solve more delicate situations that can occur, and in order to give continuity to the residency granting process.”
After the meeting with Wong Sio Chak, José Cesário held meetings with the Secretary for Transport and Public Work, Raimundo do Rosário, and with the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Alexis Tam.
José Cesário will visit the Portuguese Consulate today to inaugurate the new electronic platform aimed at speeding up the issue or renewal of identification documents.