By Ellis R. Cortez
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America
BRASILIA, Brazil – On July 11th, tens of thousands of workers blocked key highways and staged mainly peaceful marches across Brazil in a day of industrial action called by trade unions to demand better working conditions and tougher government measures to contain rising inflation.
The “National Day of Struggle” was called by the country’s top five labor federations. The unions demanded better wages, a 40-hour working week, job security, improved public transportation, as well as more investment in public health and education.
Industry workers, shopkeepers, civil servants, teachers and even hospital staff took to the streets nationwide. Demonstrators blocked roads and around 40 highways in 18 of the country’s 26 states, as well as access to several ports. The crowds were smaller than in last month’s protests, which brought more than a million people onto the streets.
In Brazil’s largest city, Sao Paulo, an estimated 5,000 people hoisting flags and banners blocked traffic on several roads, including Via Dutra, which is Brazil’s most important highway because it connects Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. In Brasilia, thousands demonstrated in front of the the National Congress and in Campo Grande, deep in Brazil’s interior, 35,000 demonstrated.
Among companies affected were General Motors, where a 24-hour strike was in effect, and Embraer, Brazil’s top plane maker. In many cities, public transportation was brought to a near standstill. Banks and shops had been closed for fear of looting and ransacking. Several schools were closed and in some hospitals around the country, only emergency services were operating.
Demonstrators also disrupted Brazil’s busiest port, Santos. Workers at Santos, which is also Latin America’s largest port, were complaining that Embraport, the largest Brazilian private multi-modal port terminal, is not hiring through the state-run labor management agency OGMO, which places union members in jobs. The workers fear that bypassing OGMO will make it possible for private companies to recruit non-unionized workers who will accept lower wages.
The protests were largely peaceful during the day. However, in Rio de Janeiro a group of masked protesters threw Molotov cocktails and rocks at police. The police pushed them back with teargas. The masked group sparked the clashes in a side street and then took refuge in a peaceful march in which union leaders called for calm and sang the national anthem. Due to the violence, the march was dispersed before it reached its final destination, and at least 12 people, including two minors, were arrested.
For more information please see:
France 24 – Brazil protest draws smaller crowds than June rallies – 12 July 2013
BBC – Brazil protests: Tens of thousands in union-led strikes – 12 July 2013
France 24 – Brazil workers protest nationwide for better conditions – 11 July 2013
La Nacion – Paro en Brasil: sin trasporte público y con rutas bloqueadas – 11 July 2013
The Guardian – Thousands on streets in Brazil protests – 11 July 2013
