Pay Protesters Block Access to Major Highway at Rush Hour in Rio de Janeiro

A protest blocked one of Rio de Janerio’s busiest highways in both directions at rush hour on February 7.

The demonstration began at around 7 am at Avenida Brasil and was staged as part of a pay dispute involving maintenance workers from BRT Transoeste. Reports said workers said they were owed back-payment for their work on Avenida Brasil.

By 10.40 am the protest had ended, however concrete blocks were still partially blocking access.

This video shows the blocked highway, with people walking along the road in between smashed concrete bollards. Police can be seen in the distance. The uploader says that he had to walk to work as a result of the blockage. He asks why the protest is taking place on such an important highway and expresses his frustration at the situation. Credit: Luizinho Soares de Souza via Storyful