1. Portugal salaries are among the lowest in Europe. When I was away I read about the furore in the UK surrounding Tories slashing family tax credits. A mum-of-four had an emotional outburst on TV's Question Time because the £400 a week she received was likely to be slashed. Well, get this... a typical salary in Portugal is around 600 euros a MONTH, and 600 euros equates to around £459. I have heard stories of people working 16 hours a day for as little as 2 euros an hour. So £400 a week in assorted benefits sounds like fantasy land for the Portuguese.
2. Despite low salaries living costs are still high. You can expect to pay at least 350 euros a month for a one-bed apartment. So many people work crazily long hours and still struggle to survive.
3. Tourism jobs are seasonal. Come the end of October many bars, restaurants and some hotels are shut and boarded up as, once the holidaymakers disappear, there are no customers for months. So staff dependent on tourism often end up going into the red once their savings run out and have to pay the bank manager back come March when things take off again and they go back to work.
4. Industry is practically non-existent. Portugal has little to lift it out of the recession doldrums. The UK may have lost much of its manufacturing industry but it is a powerhouse of activity, engineering skills and opportunity when compared to Portugal. And when the big foreign firms move in - Ikea is coming to Loule - they pay staff the local rates. I have been told that will be around 4 euros 50 cents per hour. And though they are glad of the jobs, some Portuguese fear Ikea will destroy lots of small furniture and home ware businesses.
5. Poverty breeds crime. I have never felt in danger in Portugal, quite the opposite, but know a couple whose hotel room was broken into. They were fine and the burglar got nothing but most shocking for me was that the hotel did nothing. The police were not even informed. Apparently problems are also emerging on the Strip in Albufeira. Put young people, drink and drugs together and trouble will inevitably brew but I fear the country is so strapped for cash it hasn't got the resources to pay for a bigger police presence.
NEVERTHELESS... as the old song says, the Portuguese smile even if their heart is aching ...these wonderful folk keep on going come what may. Get to know them and hugs, kisses and warm handshakes are a daily occurrence. Plus, if it's been a case of long-time-no-see they INSIST on giving you free drinks (just because they like you) and constantly lift your spirits with their kind and generous personalities. Here's another typical story ... We were in a small bar in October and the owner, who has a disabled son and works all hours, was eating some roasted chestnuts. We asked if they were on the menu. The owner said no but two minutes later a generous plate of hot chestnuts arrived on our table, totally free of course, accompanied by a warm smile. How come people who have the least often give the most? I would love to help the Portuguese and my blog is one way to do that. By encouraging people to visit this beautiful country, I like to think I do my bit.
Sorry, but by the time I took this photo Martin had eaten most of the chestnuts!
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