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Union-led strikes in Brazil block key ports and motorways Brazil protests: Tens of thousands in union-led strikes
(about 5 hours later)
Key ports and motorways in Brazil have been blocked by striking workers during a nationwide day of protests. Tens of thousands of workers across Brazil have joined a day of strikes called by the country's largest trade unions.
In major cities such as Sao Paulo and Porto Alegre, public transport was brought to a near standstill, with further marches planned for Thursday. Key ports and several motorways were blocked, many schools and banks stayed closed and crowds marched through Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.
The protests have been called by Brazil's largest trade unions which are demanding better public services, land reform and a shorter working week. The unions want improved working conditions and better public services.
Last month, more than a million people took part in similar demonstrations. The crowds were smaller than in last month's protests, which brought more than a million people onto the streets.
The protests were sparked by transport fare rises, but quickly encompassed other issues. The June demonstrations were sparked by transport fare rises, but quickly encompassed other issues.
Other grievances were over the costs of staging the World Cup, corruption and demands for better health, education and transport.Other grievances were over the costs of staging the World Cup, corruption and demands for better health, education and transport.
Transport chaosTransport chaos
But the "National Day of Struggles" that hit at least 10 Brazilian states on Thursday was called by traditional workers unions and affected mainly transport and ports. The "National Day of Struggles" called by the unions hit at least 10 Brazilian states on Thursday.
Activities at Brazil's busiest port, Santos, and in Itaguai, in the south, and Suape, in the north-east, were halted by the strikers early in the morning.Activities at Brazil's busiest port, Santos, and in Itaguai, in the south, and Suape, in the north-east, were halted by the strikers early in the morning.
The bus and metro workers' strike brought public transport to a near standstill in many cities, among them Sao Paulo, Porto Alegre, Salvador and Belo Horizonte. In many cities, bus and metro workers' strikes brought public transport to a near standstill, among them Porto Alegre, Salvador and Belo Horizonte.
In Brazil's largest city, Sao Paulo, protesters again blocked the traditional Avenida Paulista. In Brazil's largest city, Sao Paulo, an estimated 4,000-strong crowd again blocked the renowned Avenida Paulista.
"We want things to improve in the country. We are marching because health and education are in crisis in Brazil. There must be a change," Rosely Paschetti, a Sao Paulo municipal employee, told AFP news agency."We want things to improve in the country. We are marching because health and education are in crisis in Brazil. There must be a change," Rosely Paschetti, a Sao Paulo municipal employee, told AFP news agency.
In Rio de Janeiro, protest organisers hope to attract a crowd to the central area of the city for a march later on Thursday. The unions demanded land and pension reforms, a shorter working week and better public services, among other issues.
In Rio de Janeiro, protest organisers gathered at least 2,500 people in the central area of the city.
Although the demonstration was largely peaceful, police used tear gas to disperse some groups of protesters.
The nationwide demonstrations in June for better education, healthcare and transport prompted President Dilma Rousseff to present a package of investments and reforms in public services.The nationwide demonstrations in June for better education, healthcare and transport prompted President Dilma Rousseff to present a package of investments and reforms in public services.
Ms Rousseff also proposed a national referendum on political reform, but members of the Congress recently said it would be practically impossible to organise a public consultation on the issue before next year's elections.Ms Rousseff also proposed a national referendum on political reform, but members of the Congress recently said it would be practically impossible to organise a public consultation on the issue before next year's elections.