In the event that strikers fail to comply with the decree issued by the government regarding minimum services, the government will hold a virtual meeting to approve civil requisition, Costa told journalists on Sunday evening after a visit to the National Entity for the Energy Sector in Lisbon, where he reviewed preparations for the strike just hours before its midnight start.

Asked when the first assessment would be made regarding the fulfilment of minimum services, Costa said it would be "after the start of the strike and when employers communicate whether or not they are able to perform the minimum services."

The road hauliers’ association, Antram, on Sunday morning had released a statement to the effect that unions had not fulfilled their obligation to provide, by midnight on Saturday, the list of workers who were to perform minimum services, Costa noted.

The information the government has is that Antram "is taking the place of unions in notifying workers who must report by 6.30 to exercise the functions necessary to fulfill the minimum services," he said, adding: "And after that, the government will make an assessment.”

The plan is for the cabinet to meet electronically “at the time that is necessary so that as soon as the non-compliance is established, the civil requisition can be decreed," he said.

It is, he added, "absolutely fundamental" that the minimum services decreed are actually provided, as even with these fully functioning, the effects of the indefinite strike will be felt.