In a statement in which where it expresses "the greatest concern" at the prospect of "serious disturbances" as a result of the indefinite strike by drivers of lorries carrying dangerous goods that has been scheduled to start on 12 August, the CIP argues that it is "evident that the unrestricted form [of strike action] that results from the current legal framework is open to abuse that should be foreseen" and prevented.

"In this context, it is essential to regulate the exercise of the right to strike, ensuring the necessary balance which will safeguard other fundamental rights and expressly defining the demarcation of its lawfulness, respecting the principles of necessity, appropriateness and proportionality, in the framework that the Constitution itself enshrines," the CIP states.

It calls for a "profound reflection on the framework that makes the whole country vulnerable to situations like this [that are] particularly sensitive at a time conducive to the emergence of movements and pressures from smaller or larger groups … of a radical or populist nature."

According to the confederation, "the fragmentation of … the union movement, with the emergence of a significant number of new unions not part of [federations], makes it more difficult to resolve conflicts through dialogue."

The CIP, which represents almost 115,000 companies, also calls on the two independent unions that have called the strike and the national road hauliers’ association ANTRAM to create "a negotiating base that makes it possible to prevent a labour conflict from putting all Portuguese in a hostage situation" as a result of fuel and other shortages.

It calls on the government "to exert the utmost influence with the parties so that this conflict can be resolved by dialogue, and to continue in the preparation of a contingency plan to minimise the most critical consequences of this strike."

On Wednesday, Portugal’s minister for the economy, Pedro Siza Vieira, said that he had not proposed any revision of the strike laws, nor did the government plans to do so.

In an interview with public television, the minister stated that this was "a question that needs to be looked at politically and that the various political protagonists have to ponder, review whether it is convenient … to revise the law … on this matter."

The unions are seeking an agreement on gradual increases in their members’ basic monthly salary between now and 2022, to €700 euros in January 2020, €800 in January 2021 and €900 in January 2022, with supplements indexed to salary that would result in total remuneration of €1,400 in 2020, €1,550 in 2021 and €1,715 euros in 2022.

The government is to set minimum services for the strike, based on proposals from the unions and road hauliers, which range from 25% and 70% of normal services, as well as to decide on whether these should include loading and unloading operations.