Vieira de Castro and the Lameiras Residents' Association were the big winners of the second edition of the ‘+ Igual’ (More Equal) Award, promoted by the Vila Nova de Famalicão City Council to recognise companies and private social solidarity institutions (IPSS) that stand out for implementing exemplary policies and practices in promoting gender equality and adopting measures that facilitate the reconciliation of professional, family and personal life.

The awards ceremony took place on Tuesday morning at the Town Hall. In the business sector, ROQ and AAC Têxtil were also distinguished with second and third place, respectively.

Jorge Faria, president of the Lameiras Residents' Association, expressed his satisfaction with the recognition. "This award fills us with pride. We have been working to value men and women equally, and that is the path we want to continue to follow."

Nuno Teixeira, director of Human Resources at Vieira de Castro, emphasised that the award validates the company's journey and that "this recognition shows that Vieira is on the right track. It reflects our commitment to equality, non-discrimination, inclusion, wage transparency and career progression."

With the “+ Igual” award, the local authority aims to encourage the adoption of concrete measures that promote equality between women and men at work, in employment and in training, while also contributing to improving the quality of employment.

The Councillor for Equality and Integration, Susana Pereira, and the Councillor attended this morning’s ceremony for Economy and Entrepreneurship, Augusto Lima.

Susana Pereira emphasised the impact of these good practices, ‘which serve as an example and help to improve the collective journey. It is not just about the goal, but the path they build with their employees. When people feel respected and happy, the company works better.’ The Councillor for Economy and Entrepreneurship highlighted the evolution of Famalicão's business fabric and the significant progress in social responsibility practices. "Year after year, we have seen a positive evolution in social responsibility practices, particularly in terms of wages and gender issues, but also in the integration of people with disabilities. There is a long way to go, but we are on the right track." 

It should be noted that the criteria evaluated include the objective and proven commitment of entities to equality, balanced representation in decision-making positions, and the existence of work-life balance policies, such as flexible hours, adaptable working arrangements, continuous working hours, part-time work, and protocols with local services.