Sao Tome, Nov. 6, 2025 (Lusa) - Employees at the airport in the capital of Sao Tome and Principe began an indefinite strike on Thursday to demand financial subsidies, making it impossible for planes to land and depart, a union source announced.

The strike was called by the workers' union of the National Airports and Air Safety Company (ENASA) to demand a monthly subsidy of around five thousand dobras for all employees, as has happened, they say, with the employees of the air traffic controllers' union since January.

"We're in the same company, we understand that there can't be a benefit just for one group of workers, so we're also entitled to some subsidy and we're demanding this subsidy for the other classes as well," union leader Arlindo Fernandes told Lusa.

According to Arlindo Fernandes, there were negotiations with the government to avoid a strike, but ENASA's management informed the union that they "have everything prepared" and were only waiting for authorisation from the Ministry "to go ahead" and close a deal, but in less than 24 hours, they were notified by the government that the strike was illegal.

The union said  that the strike has 100% turnout and covers several areas, namely security, firefighters, cleaning, inspection and others, except air traffic controllers, who have an autonomous union.

According to the workers, an internal flight between Sao Tome and Príncipe did not take place today because of the strike. "As long as the problem isn't resolved, we're going to keep going," said the union official, warning that from Friday onwards several international flights are expected to take place.

Trade union sources told Lusa that the prime minister visited ENASA's premises this afternoon to speak with the striking employees in an attempt to find a solution.

JYAF/ADB // ADB.

Lusa