Associations are an essential tool for promoting unity, debate and defense of the rights and interests of professionals in different areas, playing in the Republican National Guard (GNR) a relevant role in valuing the military, improving working conditions and strengthening esprit de corps, being a point of connection between the military, the GNR Command and political power.
Rogério COPETO
Colonel of the GNR
Master in Law and Security and Homeland Security Auditor
A GNR, as Security Force (FS) military in nature, faces unique challenges, dealing with its military on a daily basis with the mission of ensuring public safety, preserve order and protect citizens and their property.
In this context, associativism appears as an indispensable instrument to ensure that the interests and needs of GNR military personnel are duly represented and respected, while contributing to internal cohesion and dialogue with other entities and society in general.
In Portugal, associativism is a right provided for in article 46 of the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic (CRP), with the title “Freedom of association”, which states that, “Citizens have the right to, freely and without dependence on any authorization, form associations, as long as they are not intended to promote violence and their respective purposes are not contrary to criminal law.”
I don't enter CRP, in its article 270 under the heading “Restrictions on the exercise of rights”, states that, “The law may establish, in strict accordance with the specific requirements of the respective functions, restrictions on the exercise of expression rights, meeting, manifestation, association and collective petition and the passive electoral capacity of military personnel and militarized agents of the permanent staff in force, as well as by agents of the services and security forces and, in the case of these, the non-admission of the right to strike, even when the right to union association is recognized.”
And the Lei n.º 39/2004, of 18 August, which establishes the exercise of freedom of professional association by GNR military personnel, recognizing and regulating the right to form professional associations, provided that it is in accordance with the nature and specific duties of the military condition.
A Lei n.º 39/2004, of 18 August, guarantees GNR military personnel the right to form and join professional associations that aim to defend their rights and professional interests, prohibiting the formation of unions and participation in trade unions, considered his military status.
So, GNR associations must respect the principles of political neutrality, partidária e religiosa, não podendo promover ações que comprometam a disciplina, a coesão e o cumprimento das missões da GNR.
As associações da GNR podem exercer atividades de representação e consulta junto das autoridades competentes, contribuindo para a definição de políticas que tenham impacto nos militares da GNR, assegurando a defesa dos seus interesses socioprofissionais e prestando apoio aos seus associados, como por exemplo em questões jurídicas e laborais.
A Lei n.º 39/2004, of 18 August, proíbe a greve e outras formas de paralisação de serviços, bem como o exercício das atividades associativas que possam prejudicar o normal cumprimento das missões, da permanente disponibilidade para o serviço e a coesão e a disciplina da GNR, and they must be legally constituted and regulated, in accordance with the terms set out in the aforementioned diploma, its main objective being to balance the right of association of military personnel with the requirements inherent to their role.
The Decree-Law n.º 233/2008, of 2 of December, regulates Law no. 39/2004, of 18 August, namely the exercise of the right of association by GNR military personnel and applies exclusively to the professional associations provided for in the aforementioned law, respecting its military nature, allowing the formation of associations to defend the rights and interests of GNR military personnel, imposing limits, such as the ban on strikes and union membership, also demanding political and partisan neutrality, ensuring discipline and hierarchy, and defines the role of GNR associations in institutional dialogue and socio-professional protection of its members.
GNR associations thus aim to represent and defend rights, allowing the military to have active representation within power structures, promoting salary improvements, working and career conditions, promoting esprit de corps and solidarity among military personnel, thus creating networks of mutual support.
Keep your members informed about rights, duties and relevant legislative changes, providing legal support in labor matters and serving as a bridge between GNR military personnel and society, promoting a positive image of the institution and reinforcing public trust.
And because the representation of associations is essential to guarantee the strengthening of their members, Some strategies must be implemented to achieve this objective, passed through dissemination and communication, through the use of digital channels, such as social networks and holding events to inform military personnel about the importance of associations.
Other incentives for membership include offering exclusive benefits to GNR military personnel, such as partnerships with educational institutions or discounts on services and products.
Also essential is the promotion of regular visits to GNR units, esclarecendo dúvidas e ouvindo as preocupações dos profissionais, fomentando assim a proximidade com todos os militares da GNR, sem esquecer a realização de ações de informação nos cursos de formação inicial da GNR.
A importância do associativismo é assim demonstrada através do apoio jurídico eficaz aos seus associados, da organização de eventos e campanhas de solidariedade ou de um apoio diferenciado, a quem dele necessitar.
In short, as associações da GNR contribuem para a proteção dos direitos dos militares da GNR, promovendo um espaço para o diálogo e a defesa de interesses profissionais, dentro dos limites que a condição militar impõe, with associations having the role of representing the interests of GNR military personnel in different areas, including working conditions, career progression and legal support, being crucial, in dialogue with political power, contributing to the voice of the GNR military being heard.
Associativism in the GNR is an indispensable tool for valuing and defending the interests of its military personnel, allowing the construction of a stronger institution, united and respected, encouraging active participation in professional associations, the military ensures that their voices are heard and that their rights are protected, the increase in the number of members being, in turn, a challenge that must be faced with innovative strategies adapted to the needs of GNR soldiers, because associations play a central role in strengthening the GNR as a reference institution in national security.
Note: The text constitutes the exclusive and unique opinion of its author, which only binds to this and do not reflect the opinion or position of the institution where it provides services.
