Portugal's government is forcing striking tanker drivers back to work because a shortage of gasoline and diesel is considered to threaten important public interests.

Around 2,000 tanker drivers went on strike yesterday and just hours later 35 percent of the country's gas stations were completely or partially out of fuel.
Anyone who refuses to break the strike risks two years in prison.

Ahead of the strike, the government introduced gasoline rationing and issued regulations requiring tanker drivers to make at least 50 percent of normal deliveries, with airports given special priority. The minimum deliveries have not been made, according to the government.

Among other things, only 25 of 119 planned fuel loads have been delivered to Lisbon Airport, which has limited operations according to the airport.

Source: echo