According to a statement from ENSE on its official website, the regulator informs that “as part of its oversight and supervision functions of the national oil sector, in the coming weeks it will closely monitor the evolution of average selling prices of road fuel”.


The regulator of the oil sector adds that they are taking these measures while “taking into account the strike warning, which provides for the stoppage of drivers (...) from August 12”.


“This reality cannot, on its own, justify the increase in fuel prices, and ENSE may require special monitoring of the evolution of this important indicator for consumers”, considers the regulator.


According to ENSE, “in this sense (...) it will, in addition, monitor the average prices per district and daily assess the prices charged“.

The regulator will also identify on its website the “filling stations that raise prices without any justification other than market conditions”.


ENSE considers that if the energy crisis is decreed, “this implies the implementation of exceptional conditions for the supply of gas stations in the national territory”.


The National Hazardous Goods Drivers Union (SNMMP) and the Independent Freight Drivers Union (SIMM) delivered a strike notice on Monday.


Infrastructure Minister Pedro Nuno Santos said that the drivers’ strike can still be called off and that if unions “do not really want to strike”, they should resort to the mediation mechanism.


However, the minister reiterated, and despite believing that there is still time to cancel the strike scheduled for August 12, the government continues to “work towards the strike scenario.”


Following a strike in April that left many petrol stations dry in May, an agreement was reached between employers and SNMMP which provides for a pay rise beginning in January 2020.


On 15 July a new strike was scheduled by the trade unions SNMMP and the Independent Freight Drivers Union (SIMM), accusing Antram of not wanting to comply with the agreement signed in May.