Workers strike threatens Confederations Cup

World Cup construction workers renovating the famous Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro have continued their strike over a pay deal.

The Maracana is due to host the 2014 World Cup final and is one of five Brazilian venues scheduled to stage the 2013 Confederations Cup.

The workers, who originally went on strike in August following an on-site explosion, have been demanding increased wages and better working conditions.

There were hopes an agreement would be reached, however elements of an agreed pay deal that ended the first stoppage were not met.

“We want to work, but in order to work we need to solve these pending issues, including the deal that we signed 15 days ago when we had been paralysed for four days,” Rio’ Workers Union president Nilson Duarte Costa said.

The authorities have attempted to downplay concerns of delays to the building works, but union leaders have warned that projects due to be completed by the end of next year have been severely affected.

It appears that after nearly 25 days of strike action the unions and workers are no closer to reaching an agreement.

“We are dealing with men who can’t keep their word. We are dealing with men who have no character whatsoever,” said construction worker Ricardo Mendonca.

“If work at the Maracana is halted this is because they could not keep their word and we need explanations.”

There are 2,000 men working on the stadium, which currently holds around 82,000 spectators.

The Maracana is due to host the opening match of the next World Cup, as well as the final.