On September 9, 2000, Diário de Notícias da Madeira reported on the dissatisfaction of Novapista workers, the company responsible for the Madeira Airport runway construction, who had not received invitations for the inauguration party scheduled for September 15, 2000.
Many laborers who worked daily on the construction awaited the moment to celebrate the project, but hundreds stated they received no invitation for the feast or the inauguration lunch. This situation led to protests and requests for clarification from ANAM (Madeira Airports and Air Navigation).
The union committee argued that while not all could attend the official ceremony, workers should be represented by their union delegates. There were also complaints about a lack of information regarding decorations and the future of foreign workers.
Given the possibility of workers remaining uninvited, a protest demonstration during the inauguration day was considered.
