There are problems in Portugal today in the collection of garbage, the operation of schools, hospitals, financial services due to the 24-hour strike carried out by request “immediate wage increases”, the unions announced.

“Dissatisfaction is general”the coordinator of the Common Front of Public Sector Unions Sebastiao Sentana told local media, demanding “immediate answers” from the government.

The strikers are also demanding “to put a brake on the prices of basic products”, in order to cope with inflation, as well as “to tax the excess profits” of large companies, according to a statement from the unions.

Strikes in Portugal began overnight Thursday into Friday, with waste collection services and schools and many public services operating with reduced staff.

Railway workers have also declared a partial strike for a week. About 50 train services were canceled between midnight and 08:00 am local time.

In addition, a national demonstration is planned for tomorrow Saturday afternoon in Lisbon with a demand for “a general increase in wages and pensions”.