Praia, Dec. 3, 2025 (Lusa) - Air traffic controllers in Cabo Verde will be on strike between Wednesday and Saturday to demand better working conditions, a union source confirmed to Lusa on Tuesday.

The strike will begin at 7:30 a.m. (8:30 a.m. in Lisbon) on Wednesday and continue until the same time on Saturday, covering the international airports on the islands of Sal, São Vicente, Boa Vista and Praia, said Maria de Brito, president of the Transport, Communications and Public Administration Union (Sintcap).

The strike aims to demand that the public company Aeroportos e Segurança Aérea (ASA) of Cabo Verde pay overtime, meal allowances and other benefits, in addition to requesting professional reclassification.

Meanwhile, the government published a resolution in the Official Gazette on Tuesday approving the civil requisition of air traffic controllers, arguing that the strike "compromises movements at national aerodromes and airports, jeopardising national and international air connectivity, as well as operational safety in flights over the Sal Flight Information Region (FIR)".

The same resolution warns that the strike could cause cancellations, significant delays and a reduction in air traffic management capacity, with financial impacts for operators, additional costs for airlines and losses for the tourism sector, especially during periods of high demand.

The government considers that the inter-island public air transport service, which is essential in an archipelagic country, is compromised.

While recognising that the right to strike is fundamental, the government maintains that it must be ensured that its exercise does not compromise essential needs, thus justifying the imposition of minimum services.

RS/ADB // ADB.

Lusa