Communication chaos in a European country. Tourists will not travel by train

Portugal is one of the most popular countries for a vacation. We fly there to relax by the ocean, in beautiful nature and under the hot sun. Traveling around this place can be difficult at the moment. Here's what tourists can expect.

Chaos in Portugal

The railway strikes in Portugal began on Wednesday, April 7. That day, train traffic was paralyzed almost throughout the country. Many machines came to a standstill, and tourists had to use alternative forms of public transport or cars. It was like this from the morning, and the protesters emphasized that it would not end with one day. "We can withdraw from the protest, but only if the government agrees to the conditions we propose," said the head of the Fectrans trade union, Jose Manuel Oliveira.

The strike is organized by representatives of the transport workers' union Fectrans, the Association of Professional Managers of Railway Operations (ASCEF), the Independent Union of Railway Workers' Unions (ASSIFECO) and many others. They announced that their action will last a week, until May 14.

What does this mean for travelers and locals? You should be prepared for serious disruptions. To avoid unexpected problems, it is best to give up traveling by train for a while. Protesters are suspending all rail connections in the country. Thursday, May 8, is expected to be even worse than Wednesday, as more unions have announced their participation in the action.

CP, the company responsible for passenger rail connections, announced that due to the strike, the minimum level of passenger transport services had not been ensured.

This is what the strikers in Portugal want

Rail workers are clearly stating their demands and expect changes in their industry. These include improving working conditions on the railway and a 4.7% pay rise. Portuguese Infrastructure Minister Miguel Pinto Luz said at a press conference in Lisbon that the government is currently unable to meet the demands of the strikers, which has caused considerable outrage.

It is known that railway employees will refund tourists the cost of tickets purchased by them for journeys that were to take place on Wednesday and on the other days during which the protest will be held.

Read also: Strikes in a European country. Tourists must be prepared for delays Read also: General strike paralyzed Greece. Flights from Poland in question