"The figures [of the work stoppage] are close to 90% nationally," said Artur Sequeira of the National Federation of Trade Unions in Public and Social Functions at a press conference held at the Passos Manuel school in Lisbon, which did not open on Friday.

Convened by the National Federation of Public and Social Service Workers' Unions (FNSTFPS), today's national strike was announced in early April calling for wage increases, overtime pay and a 35-hour work week for all state employees.

The leader of the Confederation of Portuguese Workers (CGTP), Arménio Carlos, considered that these high figures were making the strike a "memorable day." "The Government will have to draw its conclusions," he said.

The 35-hour week was reset in July 2016, leaving out employees with individual employment contracts, particularly those who work in EPE hospitals.

The FNSTFPS, which is part of the CGTP, is composed of unions from the north, centre, south, autonomous and consular regions of Portugal, and represents 330,000 employees.

The last general strike convened by the FNSTFPS with a view to reinstating the 35-hour work week took place in January of last year, and according to the FNSTFPS between 70% and 80% of state employees took part, including those in hospitals.