The redevelopment of Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium has been halted after construction workers went on strike following an on-site accident.
The iconic Maracana will become the centrepiece of Brazil’s hosting of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and is expected to stage the tournament’s final. The US$595 million redevelopment project will see a new stadium formed within the shell of the original epic facility, which opened for the 1950 World Cup.
However, one of the workers was badly burnt on Wednesday when an oil barrel with chemical residue exploded. Up to 1,500 people work on the stadium in rotating shifts and a demonstration was held to improve rights such as working conditions, pay and health care. “We must improve our working conditions which are not ideal. We’ll only return to work when our demands have been heard,” workers’ union director Romildo da Silva told Reuters.
Workers redeveloping the Mineirao stadium that will host World Cup matches in Belo Horizonte, went on strike for four days in June demanding better pay and conditions.
Source: www.sportbusiness.com 18/08/2011
