Portugal: Labour Authority Starts Inspection Campaign for Compliance with Employment Quotas for Persons with Disabilities
The Authority for Working Conditions (ACT) commenced an inspection campaign this September, which will continue until the end of the first quarter of 2025. This campaign aims to verify compliance with employment quotas for persons with disabilities, as established by Law No. 4/2019 of January 10.
Since 1 February 2024, companies are required to observe a minimum percentage of employment for workers with disabilities (with a degree of disability equal to or greater than 60%) according to their size:
- Companies with 250 or more employees: at least 2% of workers with disabilities
- Companies with 75 to 249 employees: at least 1% of workers with disabilities
Violation of employment quotas for persons with disabilities constitutes a serious administrative offense, punishable by a fine, notwithstanding that the law provides for certain exceptions to its compliance.
The hiring of persons with disabilities is, therefore, a legal obligation and also an ESG indicator of diversity and inclusion within the organization. It is, therefore, recommended that companies adequately assess their compliance with the quotas provided by law.
