MTST occupies the entrance of the Ministry of Finance in protest against fiscal adjustment.
Members of the Homeless Workers' Movement (MTST) are holding a demonstration at the main entrance of the Ministry of Finance in Brasília against the fiscal adjustment and demanding an end to the freeze on funds for the "Minha Casa, Minha Vida" (My House, My Life) program; the mobilization is part of the Day of Struggle for Housing and Work, which promotes demonstrations in 10 Brazilian capitals.
Brasilia 247 - Around 100 members of the Homeless Workers' Movement (MTST) are holding a demonstration at the main entrance of the Ministry of Finance. Since 15 pm, they have been protesting against the fiscal adjustment and demanding an end to the freeze on funds for the "Minha Casa, Minha Vida" (My House, My Life) program.
The mobilization is part of the Day of Struggles for Housing and Work, which promotes demonstrations in 10 Brazilian capitals. In a statement on its official Facebook page, the MTST demands the immediate release of funds for the contracting of the 35 housing units foreseen in the 2017 Budget under the Minha Casa Minha Vida Program, in the entities modality. The movement also calls for increased resources for affordable housing in the 2018 Budget.
So far, the protest is peaceful. Demonstrators are shouting slogans and singing hymns at the entrance of the ministry, which has been closed. A flag has been unfurled on the marquee of the main building, which has had its corridor lights turned off. Employees are entering and exiting through the annex building.
Minister Henrique Meirelles is not in the building. He and the president of the Central Bank, Ilan Goldfajn, are traveling to New York with a delegation of 12 ministers who will participate in seminars and meetings with international investors.