Over the past weeks, several media outlets have been reporting on the bankruptcy of the 42-year-old construction company.

"The situation is dramatic, especially with the start of the summer holidays," comments the OGBL.

Both the Portuguese newspaper Contact and the LCGB believe the bankruptcy petition will be filed in the next few days, with some employees already having received letters explaining the closure of the company.

Jean-Luc De Matteis, the OGBL's central secretary for building and craft trades, highlights the uncertainty and unpredictability of the situation. "Until bankruptcy is declared, there's nothing we can do. But we will have to be there to inform the employees."

Overall, Cardoso has 120 employees who are now threatened by its bankruptcy. Even if other companies in the sector could recruit a substantial number of the affected workers, the timing couldn't be worse, with the collective holiday beginning this Friday for three weeks. "If the announcement is delayed, a lot of people will not be there for it," laments De Matteis.

A meeting is scheduled for Tuesday morning between the company's management, its employees, as well as the OGBL and LCGB unions.