Regulating self-regulating professional associations: What changes in the portuguese context with the law 6/2008?

Since there is a professionalization trend (Wilensky, 1964), professional associations are one of the few cases of associations which membership is not in decline, namely according to the World Values Survey data from 2000s. Most professions need to be organized as associations to be able to exert influence over the political power and this influence becomes more important when the State attributes autonomy to these associations in order to regulate the profession and defend the public interest. These professional groups thus acquire a privileged relation with the State (Halliday, 1987). In Portugal, these professional associations are named professional public associations (PPAs), also known as professional Orders. These PPAs are entities of the indirect and autonomous administration of the State (Moreira, 2003). The system of professional regulation in Portugal belongs to the most common pattern of the European Continent, in which the professional associations have the monopoly of professional regulation (Moran and Wood, 2003). The ambiguity of interests defended, private or public, is a characteristic of these associations (Candler, 2000; Moreira, 2003). Therefore, many times, when contributing towards the control of work, of the market, etc., these professional associations are responsible for the collision of public interest with professional interest. In this sense, in our country, some PPAs were involved in polemic situations when they obstructed the adhesion of professionals whose graduation course was not recognized by the PPA, but had been homologated by the Government (Lusa, 2005). We can say that behind a professional association there is always a candidate to a PPA (Moreira, 2003). In this sense, some Portuguese associations entitle themselves association pro-Order, like the Pro-Order Association of Psychologists (Associação Pró-Ordem dos Psicólogos) and the Teachers Pro-Order Trade Union (Associação Sindical dos Professores Pró-ordem). Professional associations can, with effect, also be understood as a strategy of a group to strengthen its status (Selander in Burrage and Torstendahl, 1990). Recently we have observed a substantial increase in the number of professional groups that obtain the status of a PPA following an apparently discretionary criterion by the legislator (Rego in Freire, 2004). For instance some professional groups succeeded to obtain the public status, like economists, while others, even if acting in more public interest sensitive fields, took longer, like psychologists or nutritionists. As a result of the proliferation of PPAs, Law 6/2008 was recently published to regulate its creation and action. The law has established a formal procedure for all PPAs creation but did not bring new features in terms of these associations power, namely on professional regulation. The only new requirement for the creation of a PPA is the making of a previous study, apparently an indicative of the importance of technical and scientific nature of the PPA creation. In short, we may expect that the material resources of professional groups will be important in order to support the legal initiative, besides the change of their lobbying focus, which will be centred on the parliamentary political parties instead of the government. The aim of this paper is to present and analyse the before and after periods of recently developed Portuguese legislation designed to regulate professional associations, taking in account policy makers standpoints, namely parliamentary parties who have voted and enacted the Law 6/2008. This paper is the result of an ongoing project on professional associations' creation and it intends to discuss the impact of the new legal framework on the future strategies of professional groups

Portugal Case study 1 - Volkswagen Autoeuropa

key player in the national context In 1995, Volkswagen moved into Portugal with the opening of an automotive production plant, Volkswagen Autoeuropa. Located in Palmela, in the district of Setúbal (about 30 km from Lisbon and 10 km from the port of Setúbal), the plant entered production in May 1995. Autoeuropa still represents the largest foreign investment ever made in Portugal, generating a significant impact on the national and regional economy and estimated to represent 1.6% of the national GDP1. A relevant case study Portuguese researchers have devoted a great deal of attention to the study of Autoeuropa, for example the works by Stoleroff and Casaca (1996), Correia (2000), Costa (2013) and Stoleroff and Chora (2017). Their interest is due, on the one hand, to the company’s technological innovation, employing the "kaizen" system and "lean production" in a country where industrial development is otherwise weak and Fordism predominates (Correia, 2000); on the other hand, to the exceptional nature of its labour relations system (Costa, 2013), which essentially derives from the group's strategy and contrasts with the pattern in which Portugal is commonly inserted characterised by centralized negotiation and weak worker representation at the company level – although there is no co-determination in the Portuguese plant.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Portugal Case study 2 - Portuguese bank

The Portuguese bank group started out as a voluntary association in 1840 founded to promote savings as a mutualist organisation. The association aim was therefore to deepen the level of social protection as a complement to the public system. Currently, the group holds more than 630,000 members, spans eight organisations and performs in the bank, insurance, health and wellbeing sectors. One might say our case study, the Portuguese bank selected, belongs to the social economy and the entity operates under the status of ‘private institution of social solidarity’ (instituição privada de solidariedade social- IPSS) which, according to the Portuguese legal framework, means it acts under the ‘public interest’ with this status providing tax benefits as well as some prestige. This report refers to the Portuguese bank, which was founded in 1844. The main reason for selecting this case study stems from its collective agreement representing one of the few to mention ‘technology’. The bank sector is both highly qualified and highly technological as already detailed elsewhere (Rego, 2018) and confirmed with the Portuguese bank interviews. The sector counts on the largest trade union in the country, the SBSI, a member of the second largest union confederation, the UGT. Simultaneously, the sector is also very sensitive considering, on the one hand, its close relationship with the recent financial crisis/recession and, on the other hand, the internal board elections that recently became a topic of great media interest.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Digitalization and Public Services: A Labour Perspective

This report was commissioned by PSI. In addition to an extensive literature review, the study finds its main sources in interviews and information gathered from trade union representatives from PSI-affiliated organizations in different public service sectors around the world, including in Africa (Burkina Faso, Morocco), Asia (South Korea, Singapore, India), North America (Canada, United States), South America (Argentina, Brazil) and Europe (Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Spain, and the United Kingdom). The interviewees represent a wide range of public services from central administration and local and regional government to health and care services, hospitals, utilities, police, emergency services and education and cultural services.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Beyond density: Improving European trade unions’ representativeness through gender quotas

Trade unions’ legitimacy is rooted in membership, since unions result from the organization of workers who found they were stronger through a collective voice. Accordingly, union representativeness has been assessed primarily through ‘density’ – the ratio of union members to the total workforce. We argue that density is crucial but insufficient. First, the decline in trade union membership jeopardizes internal legitimacy; second, unions have developed external legitimacy when acting beyond their members. Inspired by the multifaceted concept of ‘political representation’, we suggest a fairer approach which adds the composition of unions’ boards – beginning with gender – to density whenever unions act on behalf of all workers. Specifically, we contend that trade unions willing to take part in the European negotiations should adopt gender quotas on their boards. This approach is likely to stimulate equality in the labour market, while contributing to unions’ revitalization, thus fostering the quality of democratic institutions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Evolução do estado de saúde em reclusas : estudo dos registos clínicos

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Psicologia (área de especialização em Psicologia da Saúde)O ambiente prisional é um caso particular de concentração de pessoas numa instituição, que está associada a situações de frustração, violência, falta de esperança no futuro, perspectivas de novo encarceramento, ruptura de laços sociais e familiares e continuação de consumo de drogas. De acordo com Crofts (1997) e Levy (1999) esta combinação fomenta elevados comportamentos de risco para a saúde, a dependência de drogas e perturbações mentais (Observatório Português dos Sistemas de Saúde, 2003). Se as condições de reclusão podem propiciar problemas de saúde física e mental, também é reconhecido que no momento de reclusão estas pessoas podem ter condições de saúde mais frágeis. Quando se trata especialmente da população feminina, a maioria da população reclusa feminina advém de famílias carenciadas, onde as desigualdades sociais sobressaem, reflectindo-se num estado de saúde precário. Isto significa que a prisão pode ser uma oportunidade para estas mulheres receberem cuidados de saúde adequados. Alguns estudos têm procurado caracterizar o estado de saúde de mulheres reclusas recorrendo ao relato que elas fazem da sua saúde, mas muito raramente se recorreu a dados objectivos de processos clínicos para a descrever. O presente estudo tem como objectivo geral analisar se a saúde das reclusas tende a melhorar ou a deteriorar-se com a reclusão, recorrendo aos registos clínicos. Para isso fez-se uma caracterização do estado de saúde de 100 reclusas de um Estabelecimento Prisional Especial, recorrendo à leitura dos dados clínicos e analisando os dados referentes a duas fases: no 1º mês de reclusão (momento 1 - M1) e no mês que antecedeu o estudo (momento 2 – M2). Para a análise da informação foi construída uma grelha que incluiu o Registo das avaliações, a Lista de problemas, o Esquema Terapêutico e o Histórico da consulta. Os resultados do M1 indicam a presença de comportamentos aditivos, nomeadamente consumo de tabaco e de substâncias ilícitas, evidenciando-se o consumo de cocaína e canábis. Os tratamentos para desintoxicação de drogas no Estabelecimento Prisional foram utilizados por uma minoria. Os processos indicam uma média elevada de diagnósticos físicos e mentais, registando-se um elevado recurso às terapêuticas medicamentosas, a consultas e a apresentação de queixas médicas. No M2, registou-se uma diminuição na afluência a consultas, nas queixas, nos internamentos e no número de diagnósticos. Em suma, sendo uma população em crescimento, sobre-representada pela carência no acesso a cuidados médicos adequados e a outros tipos de serviços de saúde antes da reclusão, os dados deste estudo dão um contributo para conhecer os problemas de saúde existentes nas reclusas em Portugal. Estes dados permitem que durante e depois do encarceramento se possam adoptar estratégias eficazes de prevenção e tratamento.The prison environment is a singular concentration of people in an institution which is associated with frustration, violence, a bleak future as well as ongoing use of drugs, prospects of new incarceration and disruption of social & family ties. According to Crofts (1997) and Levy (1999) this mixture encourages behavior that leads to high health risks, drug dependence and mental disorders. If the conditions of incarceration may provide problems of physical and mental health, it is also recognized that at the time of reclusion these people may have health conditions weaker. In the case especially of the female population, a great part of the female prison population comes from disadvantaged families, where social inequalities emerge, reflected in a precarious health. This means that the prison can be an opportunity for these women to receive adequate health care. Some studies have tried to characterize the health status of women inmates using the account they do for their health, but very rarely resorted to objective data from clinical processes to describe. The present study aims at analyzing the health of prisoners that tends to improve or deteriorate with imprisonment. In a prison, we studied the health of 100 inmates using the reading of clinical data and analyzing data in two phases: in the 1st month of imprisonment (time 1 - M1) and the preceding month of the study (time 2 - M2). To analyze the information we constructed a grid that included a registration of assessments, a list of issues, a therapeutic scheme and the consultation history. The results indicate the M1 data indicate the presence of addictive behaviors, including tobacco and illicit substances, specially cocaine and cannabis. Treatments for drug detoxification in this prison were used by a minority. The cases indicate a high average diagnostic of physical and mental health, which are being monitored and treated, registering a high use of drug therapies, consultation and the exhibition of medical complaints. In M2, there was a decrease in the influx of consultations, complaints, hospitalizations and in the number of diagnostics display. In short, being a growing population over-represented by lack of access to adequate medical care and other health services prior to incarceration, the data from this study provide a contribution for a better understanding of the health problems in Portuguese prisons. These data allow that during and after incarceration it is possible to adopt effective strategies for prevention and treatment

Medical scientific societies in Portugal

Medical scientific societies, just like other scientific associations, are a fairly neglected object in the studies of science. Most of the published research in this area is comprised by historical studies of individual societies, by type or by geographical region. This article aims to fill this gap by presenting original research on contemporary medical societies. It seeks to characterise what are their main activities, how do they function and what relations they establish with other actors in the scientific field. It is focused on Portuguese medical societies but if seeks to draw comparisons with other national contexts whenever there is available information. The data presented was gathered as part of a project intituled SOCSCI Scientific Societies in Contemporary Science, which aims to understand scientific societies in general. This article pays particular attention to three medical societies which were included in a sample of in-depth studies from the project: the Lisbon Society of Medical Sciences, the Portuguese Neurology Society and the Portuguese Neurosciences Society.As sociedades científicas médicas, tal como as restantes sociedades científicas, são um objeto relativamente negligenciado nos estudos da ciência. A maioria da investigação publicada nesta área é composta por estudos históricos de sociedades individuais, ou por tipo, ou por região geográfica. Este artigo procura preencher este vazio apresentando investigação original sobre sociedades médicas contemporâneas. Procura compreender quais são as suas principais actividades, como funcionam e que relações estabelecem com outros atores no campo científico. É focado nas sociedades médicas portuguesas mas procura fornecer comparações com outros contextos nacionais sempre que existir informação disponível. Os dados apresentados foram recolhidos como parte de um projecto intitulado SOCSCI Sociedades científicas na ciência contemporânea, que procura compreender as associações científicas em geral. Este artigo dá particular atenção a três sociedades médicas que foram incluídas numa amostra de estudos aprofundados do projecto: a Sociedade de Ciências Médicas de Lisboa, a Sociedade Portuguesa de Neurologia e a Sociedade Portuguesa de Neurociências

O impacto da profissionalização nas associações de consumidores – o caso da DECO

A literatura científica sustenta que a acção das associações de consumidores é enfraquecida por factores inerentes ao consumo, como a sua heterogeneidade, e por factores externos, como a existência de outras organizações com interesses próximos. A análise das próprias associações de consumidores como um meio para compreender as dificuldades da acção colectiva parece ser desprezada. A partir de um estudo de caso, demonstramos que a profissionalização transforma a associação e contribui nomeadamente para a permanência dos dirigentes no poder. Os nossos resultados contribuem assim, não só para compreender os constrangimentos da acção colectiva consumidorista, e em particular das associações de consumidores do modelo anglo‑saxónico dominante, mas também para reflectir sobre as consequências da profissionalização das associações voluntárias de um modo geral.Academic literature argues that the work of consumer associations is weakened by factors inherent to consumption, such as its heterogeneity, and by external factors, such as the existence of other organisations with similar interests. Analysis of actual consumer organisations as a means of understanding the difficulties involved in collective action appears to be scorned. On the basis of a case study, this article demonstrates that professionalization transforms associations and specifically contributes towards maintaining their leadership. Our results therefore contribute not only to an understanding of the restrictions on collective consumer action, and in particular the predominantly Anglo-Saxon model of consumer associations, but also to reflections on the consequences of the professionalization of voluntary associations in general.La littérature scientifique soutient que l’action des associations de consommateurs est affaiblie par des facteurs inhérents à la consommation, comme son hétérogénéité, et par des facteurs externes, comme l’existence d’autres organisations dont les intérêts sont proches. L’analyse des propres associations de consommateurs comme moyen de comprendre les difficultés de l’action collective semble avoir été négligée. À partir d’une étude de cas, nous démontrons que la professionnalisation transforme l’association et contribue, notamment, à ce que les dirigeants restent aux pouvoir. Dès lors, nos résultats contribuent, non seulement à la compréhension des contraintes de l’action collective de consumérisme et, en particulier, des associations de consommateurs du modèle anglo-saxon dominant, mas aussi à nous pencher sur les conséquences de la professionnalisation des associations bénévoles en général

Estímulo ao debate sobre 50 anos de políticas de emprego e proteção social em Portugal

Resenha do livro de Jorge Caleiras e Renato Miguel do Carmo, intitulado "A articulação das políticas de emprego e de proteção em Portugal: Cinco décadas de movimentos nem sempre virtuosos", que foi publicado em 2022 na coleção CoLABOR Ebooks. O CoLABOR é uma instituição de investigação que associa grandes empresas, instituições sociais portuguesas e instituições académicas, sediada em Lisboa, Portugalinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Reestruturação empresarial em Portugal durante a crise

Nos últimos tempos, o termo “reestruturação” tem sido muito usado à escala nacional por se associar à dívida externa. Mas a expressão “reestruturação empresarial”, não deveria ser menos pertinente na actualidade pelo impacto que a crise teve nas empresas e, por conseguinte, na vida de uma grande parte dos portugueses. Este texto pretende, em primeiro lugar, chamar a atenção para a reestruturação empresarial como um conceito heurístico e um fenómeno fundamental do dia-a-dia das empresas e dos seus trabalhadores, que dispõe de resto de fontes de dados regulares, como o Observatório Europeu da Reestruturação, aparentemente subaproveitadas. Em segundo lugar, este texto procura contribuir especificamente para a discussão sobre as políticas de apoio às empresas em dificuldade, considerando neste caso as medidas decorrentes do Memorando para o Entendimento, assinado pelo Governo português e a troika e posto em prática entre 2011-2014.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio