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PROPOSED LAW NO. 221 /X

Exhibition of reasons

Annex 1 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation, adopted by the Decree-Law n.

36158, of February 17, 1947, and ratified on April 28, 1948, which versa on the

licensing of personnel, although forecasting the lower age limit for the exercise of duties

operational by air traffic controllers (CTA), does not provide for the corresponding limit

top of age. This limit is, however, provided for in domestic law, in Article 27 of the Staff Regulations

of the Air Traffic Controller, approved by the Decree-Law No. 503/75 of December 13.

Initially 52 years, it is currently, by virtue of the amendment introduced by the Decree-Law n.

154/95, of July 1, of 55 years.

The constant technical and technological developments verified in the equipment and systems supporting the

provision of air traffic services, which has brought a sensitive improvement of the conditions of

work of air traffic controllers and, well, harmonization with the practice it has

coming to check in other European countries, they advise the further widening of the upper limit

of age for the exercise of operational functions by the air traffic controllers.

On the other hand, there are no human, technical, or operational safety reasons that

justify the maintenance of that age limit, and therefore the Government intends to proceed

amendment of the legal provision that imposes it, setting that limit in 57 years and adjusting it so to the

current reality of the air traffic control sector.

Finally, the increase in the age limit for the exercise of operational functions by the CTA

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Portuguese will end with the currently verified situation that prevents them from exercising those

functions in situations in which the CTA of other European countries, which have already proceeded to that

increase, can do so.

It was heard the committee of workers at NAV-Portugal, E.P.E., and the trade union association of the

air traffic controllers.

Thus:

Under the terms of the paragraph d) of Article 197 (1) of the Constitution, the Government presents to the

Assembly of the Republic the following proposal for a law:

Single Article

Amendment to Decree-Law No 503/75 of September 13

Article 27 of the Decree-Law No 503/75 of September 13, as amended by the

Decree-Law No. 154/95 of July 1, is replaced by the following:

" Article 27.

Upper age limit for the exercise of operational functions

The upper age limit for the exercise of operational functions is 57 years. "

Seen and approved in Council of Ministers of July 31, 2008

The Prime Minister

The Minister of the Presidency

The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs