By David Gold
August 18 – Construction workers have gone on strike at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana following an explosion during renovation work.
A worker injured his legs as an oil barrel with chemicals exploded, causing him to be rushed to hospital.
Workers’ union director Romildo da Silva was quoted by Reuters saying: “We must improve our working conditions, which are not ideal.
“We’ll only return to work when our demands have been heard.”
Rio de Janeiro State Public Works responded by saying that the issues are being analysed and considered.
A demonstration was held outside the famous stadium, which will host the opening and closing ceremonies of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, as well as the final of the 2014 World Cup.
Some 1,500 people work on the ground, which has been hit by delays as it needs a new roof to meet FIFA requirements ahead of the Confederations Cup and World Cup.
The pace of the work has raised concern that the ground may not be ready in time for the Confederations Cup in 2013.
It is the second such disruption this summer after workers at Belo Horizonte’s Mineirao stadium went on strike in June.
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