Portugal's Conta Lá shareholders convene to decide future amid salary delays

Shareholders of the Portuguese news project Conta Lá gathered on Thursday for an extraordinary general meeting. The agenda includes a capital increase, the approval of a restructuring plan, the appointment of a management committee and other items.

Workers at the project have not received any salary payments since the end of the previous month, with salaries delayed for three months. Maurício Ribeiro, a member of the resigning executive committee, said, "I know the delay in salary payments and other credits has a very real impact on the lives of each of you and your families. There are no words that can eliminate this concern, but it is important you know it is not indifferent to me."

The meeting follows the July 15 resignation of CEO Sérgio Figueiredo, who announced the shareholders' meeting to approve the restructuring. The project currently employs about 100 people, including roughly 40 journalists, and operates the regional channels Conta Lá Sul, Centro, Norte and Rural, authorized by the Entidade Reguladora para a Comunicação Social (ERC). The outcome of the meeting will determine the future of the media venture.