António Marçal, the secretary-general of the Union of Judicial Officials (SFJ) gave the estimate to Lusa at a demonstration in front of the Palace of Justice in Coimbra, where more than 100 court officials from the Coimbra, Viseu and Leiria circuits had gathered, wearing black T-shirts with the slogan ‘Justice for those who work in it’.

According to Marçal, the turnout on this, the third of five alternate days of a national strike reflects the dissatisfaction of officials at what they see as the disregard "by successive governments and which this government maintains".

According to the union leader, "the last straw" is the government’s refusal to add a 10% supplement to worker salary for all 14 months, as is to be done for public prosecutors and judges, and without reducing the size of this supplement.

The minister of justice, Francisca Van Dunem, "wants … a real reduction in the income of court officials," Marçal said, adding that the union’s talks with the ministry have been "a dialogue of the deaf" on the matters in dispute.

"We cannot have a policy that [is that] the state treats some as [legitimate] children and others as bastards," he said, estimating the budgetary impact of the union's demands on the supplement at €700,000.

Marçal also called attention to what he said is a shortage of court officials, for the non-payment of "dozens of hours” worked by the union’s members outside their contracted hours, and to the ageing of the profession. In Viseu, Coimbra and Leiria, he said, the average age is 54.

The strike started on 25 June and is due to continue on 4 and 12 July.