Explosion sparks threat of strike at Maracanã.
An accident early Wednesday morning at the stadium construction site prompted a protest by workers demanding better working conditions. Workers plan to extend the strike into Thursday.
An accident this Wednesday morning at the Maracanã stadium renovation works for the 2014 World Cup triggered a work stoppage by the workers, who are demanding a salary increase and the provision of a health plan from the "Maracanã Rio 2014" consortium. Currently, the 1.500 employees work only with a limited plan from the union.
The consortium responsible for the renovation issued a statement Wednesday night confirming the accident involving Carlos Felipe da Silva Pereira and the workers' demands. Representatives from both sides met to try to resolve the impasse. However, the workers are threatening to maintain the strike with a demonstration scheduled to begin at 5:30 am this Thursday in front of the Maracanã stadium.
According to the consortium's statement, a collective agreement with the category and the union was reached on April 19, 2011, covering the period from February 2011 to January 2012. Regarding the accident that occurred this Wednesday, it reported that the employee suffered a fractured knee.
After receiving first aid at the construction site, Carlos Felipe da Silva Pereira was taken by ambulance to Souza Aguiar Hospital in Rio. The Municipal Health Department reported that he was transferred to a private hospital in the early evening.
Carlos Felipe da Silva Pereira was injured while cutting a barrel with a welding torch, which caused an explosion. This threw him two meters, resulting in fractures and burns. The accident accelerated a planned protest by the workers demanding better working conditions and higher wages.
"We stop at 11:30 am for lunch and only return to clock out and leave, around 16 pm. They pay us R$ 1.180,00 when all companies pay more than that. Furthermore, we don't have any health insurance. We are taking risks," said a worker who did not want to be identified. "Tomorrow (Thursday) we will be in front of the stadium from 5:30 am and nobody will be allowed in."
The Rio de Janeiro Public Works Company (Emop) also issued a statement saying it is monitoring "the progress of negotiations for the resumption of work," without giving further details.