Glossary

carreiras gerais

Published 8 November 2026, 22:44
carreiras gerais (general careers in the civil service)

Three job categories found in almost every state institution, from ministries to schools and town halls: técnico superior (graduate specialist), assistente técnico (office work, dealing with the public) and assistente operacional (cleaning, canteen, supervision, maintenance). Unlike the "special" careers — teachers, doctors, nurses, police officers — they share a single pay scale.

Where you come across it. News about civil servants' strikes and pay.
A carreiras gerais strike is not a teachers' strike: lessons are disrupted because there is nobody to open the school, look after the children and feed them.