The action and powers of the Regional Labour Inspection (IRT) have been reinforced in the labour area, following the implementation of the most recent exceptional and temporary measures in response to the situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
This reinforcement of powers came into effect with the publication of Law no.14/2020 of May 9, which confers upon inspection services the power to determine the nullity of the dismissal of a worker. 

In this context, the IRT, faced with illicit dismissal, now has new ways of operating within its inspection activities, as in accordance with the legal provisions stipulated for these exceptional circumstances.

With these new means and powers, the Regional Labour Inspection actively contributes to safeguard the rights of Azorean workers.
 
In fact, the IRT, through labour inspectors, can draw up a report and notify the employer to regularise the situation, whenever it finds evidence of unlawful dismissal that falls within the general grounds of illegal dismissal, either due to a fact imputable to the worker, collective dismissal or due to the dissolution of the job position. 

Hence, the employer, upon receiving the notification, is informed that the employment contract has not ceased until the regularisation of the employee's situation or the final judicial decision, and that, among other rights, the employee is entitled to receive payment.

The Regional Labour Inspection has as its mission the improvement of working conditions through advisory actions and supervision of compliance with labour standards as well with the provisions on safety and health at work. 

The IRT provides a single telephone number for the entire Region - 295 204 140 as well as digital access at https://irt.azores.gov.pt/, where some answers to the most frequently asked questions are available, including those related to the current situation.