Italian truck drivers entered in the third day of their strike refusing government’s demand to end it and blocking roads that triggered the ending of the fuel supplies and the closing of the factories.

The drivers protest against the high fuel prices, the long working hours and the poor working conditions.

The strike means that fresh fruits and vegetable are no longer available in supermarkets, factories and filling stations are closed.

The unions walked out of the negations table with Transport Minister Alessandro Bianchi on Tuesday, BBC News reports.

Since Monday the drivers blocked roads, major ports and borders.

According to authorities the blockade is unlawful and said that unless they remove the blockade they will be sanctioned.  

The Transport Ministry asked for the strike to end by midnight, but this demand was defied by strikers.

Transport Minister Alessandro Bianchi said: "The road blocks are illegal and must be removed,” Reuters reports.

Because of the blocks on the roads conflicts appeared between strikers and truck drivers who wanted to go to work.

Conftrasporto, a group that represents the truckers, said: "Instead of discussing in a concrete manner the problems of the haulage sector and working to solve the difficult situation which is causing economic damage in the country, Minister Bianchi continues to make gratuitous provocations."

Trucker demands are the reducing of fuel costs and to make sure that they are paid in time.

Petrol stations are running short on supplies and people stand in line forming long queues.

All negotiations failed so far and the strike is expected to last until Friday.