One worker arrested, tear gases, pepper sprays and a helicopter with police officers aiming at the mobilized workers are part of the actions to weaken the protest measure that affected all units working at the dam. Twelve workers were warned by the consortium: if they continue the strike they will lose their jobs.

On April 28th, thousands of workers of the Belo Monte Construction Consortium (made up by companies in charge of the works) went on strike to demand salary improvements, visits to their families every three months, not every six (when they are workers from other regions), food improvements, health plans, extra-time payment, among other things.

The death of Francisco Orlando Rodrigues, a worker of Dandolini e Peper, prompted once again the dissatisfaction of workers. The safety conditions are worrying the mobilized workers: they denounce that there have been other deaths in the works, which have been “covered” by the consortium.

On Monday, the people responsible for the works considered that the strike had lasted long enough and had the support of the Military Police. The officers repressed the workers who were protesting, according to a new report by Movimiento Xingu Vivo para Siempre, a group of social organizations from Altamira and nearby regions that opposes the installation of Belo Monte on Xingu River.

Even Norte Energia, a company member of the consortium, rented a helicopter that the police officers used to aim at the workers. In addition, at least twelve workers were threatened with being fired.

In parallel, in a new move by Belo Monte executives, they paid salaries on Monday when payment was scheduled for Thursday.

Meanwhile, a commission of the Conlutas Peoples’ Trade Union was present in Altamira to support the protest. The main goal was that workers denounce their working conditions in a meeting scheduled for
Tuesday in Brasilia, capital city of the country, among representatives of the national government, the companies involved and the trade unions of the sector. The workers on strike had denounced that the Heavy Construction Workers Union of Para does not support them and that they even consider them “lazy” for going on strike.

Photo: http://www.xinguvivo.org.br