Portugal’s fuel-tanker drivers to strike
Portugal’s fuel-tanker drivers voted to strike from Monday for an indefinite period, raising fears about the impact on the country’s tourism-dependent economy during the busy summer season.
The vote means the strike will go ahead as planned after the failure of negotiations with the employers’ association ANTRAM, as drivers demand higher wages and better working conditions.
Striking SNMMP drivers will be joined by the Independent Freight Drivers’ Union (SIMM).
The Socialist government led by Prime Minister Antonio Costa has already started preparations for the strike, declaring an energy crisis which has been in place since 11:59 p.m. on Friday and scheduled to last until Aug. 21.
The crisis declaration allows the government to ensure full supplies to ports, hospitals, airports and other priority users.
The government will ration fuel for the public, restricting drivers to a maximum of 15 litres of petrol or diesel at specially designated stations.
