The same sources confirmed that the agreement has already been approved by casual workers who have refused to turn up for work since 5 November.

The Minister for the Economy on Friday that the dock workers strike at the Port of Setúbal is "a serious situation" for the national economy, confirming that the Government "has spoken" to companies in the region.

The stoppage of the dock workers in the Port of Setúbal, is "a serious situation for the national economy. We hope that the situation can be resolved soon, I believe that at the end of the day we will have news about this matter," said Pedro Siza Vieira, in Penafiel, before the agreement was announced. The minister is taking part in the opening of the 3rd Meeting of Investors of the [Portuguese] Diaspora.

Asked if the government has been in contact with the companies affected by this shutdown, the Minister said, "we have talked to Autoeuropa and other companies in the region."

The temporary workers of the Port of Setúbal have not worked since 5 November.

At the same time, an overtime strike is underway by dock workers affected by the Stevedoring and Logistics Activity Union, which is scheduled to end in January 2019 or when bosses and the union reach an agreement.

This strike covers the ports of Lisbon, Setúbal, Sines, Figueira da Foz, Leixões, Caniçal (Madeira), Ponta Delgada and Praia da Vitória (Azores).