According to the statement issued after the regular weekly cabinet meeting, the changes are to come “through a phased increase over the current year of the percentage increases foreseen in the legislation in force." However, the statement does not clarify how the percentages are to be phased in nor from when exactly the overtime payments are to be restored.

Doctors' unions have scheduled a strike for 10 and 11 May to protest the government's failure fully to restore overtime payments, which are currently running at 50% their pre-2012 level.

The government had already legislated to restore part of overtime pay only for professionals working in accident and emergency and intensive care departments, but unions are pressing for this to be extended to all doctors immediately.

The Ministry of Health on Wednesday said that overtime payments would be restored to 75% of their pre-2012 level from 1 April, with retroactive effect.

In meetings with the unions, the ministry had promised to restore the remaining 25% by the end of the year.

Unions have, however, said that the strike was called to protest other issues essential to safeguarding the proper functioning of Portugal's public health services.

Ministry officials have said that another meeting is scheduled for next Wednesday.