The decision was announced by the secretary of state for culture, Angela Ferreira, in a meeting with the Cena-STE union, which represents workers at the two institutions, both of which are overseen by production company Opart. Employees of both have been on strike to demand equivalent salaries.

After the meeting, in comments to journalists, André Albuquerque of Cena-STE lamented the government's lack of willingness to negotiate, and announced that the union would call on members to continue their strike and ponder new forms of action, as well as requesting an audience with the prime minister.

The secretary of state, meanwhile, dismissed suggestions that the government was trying to strongarm the union, portraying the decision as a move to restore the legality of the employment arrangements under Opart.

At issue is a decision taken by the Opart board of directors in 2017 to the effect that employees of the National Ballet Company (CNB) would work 35 hours a week, retaining the same salary as they had been earning for a 40-hour week, while other Opart workers would continue to work 35 hours and be paid for those same hours.