The workers working on the refurbishment of the Mineirão stadium, in Belo Horizonte, stopped work this Wednesday (June 15) asking for better working conditions. This action was co-ordinated by the Trade Union for Workers in the Construction Industry, and took place in front of the old hall of the stadium.
According to Osnir Ventura, the President of this institution, the situation of the workers at the site of modernization of the stadium in Minas Gerais for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ is a disgrace, and something had to be done. “Our workers shall not continue their work until the working conditions are improved. What is happening here is a disgrace. We have very low salaries, there are few bathrooms and little water. The food is bad. All we want and request is what is best”, said Mr. Ventura.
Some 400 workers went to Pampulha just to stage the protest, which happened in the morning. Then, they went home. Work continues, says Secopa.
Responsible for the refurbishment, the Extraordinary Secretariat for the World Cup in Minas Gerais (Secretaria Extraordinária da Copa do Mundo de Minas Gerais - Secopa-MG) and the Minas Arena consortium, promised a solution for the impasse by this Thursday afternoon (June 17).
In a statement, the state institution assured that work would continue, mainly outside the stadium. “According to Minas Arena, despite the partial stoppage of the workers, 60 machines and equipment units were working normally on the foundations and land leveling. The consortium also informs that they are following all the requirements of the collective agreement of the Trade Union for Heavy Civil Construction and uphold high standards of quality and security”, adding that dialogue with the workers has always been open.
Despite this, an employee outsourced by Minas Arena, who would not give his name, admitted that this development could be delayed if the stoppage continued for any more days.
Currently, an official worker receives a salary R$ 926 per month, while serventes, or construction assistants, earn R$ 605, with 60% extra for overtime. The Trade Union is seeking a salary increase to R$ 1,250 and R$ 850 respectively, with 100% extra for overtime and a basic food staples.
Also according to Secopa, the forecast for delivery of the Mineirão on December 31, 2012 remains unchanged.
highlights
04/05 | News
