Portugal's Civil Protection Force Announces Five-Day Nationwide Strike

The Special Civil Protection Force (FEPC) will stage a nationwide strike from 20 to 24 July 2026. Operatives are protesting the persistent failure of the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) to pay overtime and extra duties, including work under the 2025 Special Rural Fire Combat Device (DECIR) and the response to the winter depression named Kristine. The Independent Union of Forest, Environment and Civil Protection Workers (SinFAP) says the debt amounts to thousands of euros per employee and has been repeatedly delayed despite multiple appeals.

ANEPC has declared that essential services will be maintained through a minimum‑service decree, but the union argues the strike does not abandon their mission to protect the public. SinFAP is urging the Interior Minister to intervene and ensure the immediate regularisation of all overdue payments and hold ANEPC’s leadership accountable.