rios unpaid government workers line up for food
Last Updated : GMT 09:40:38
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Last Updated : GMT 09:40:38
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

At the foot of a tall building in downtown

Rio's unpaid government workers line up for food

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicleRio's unpaid government workers line up for food

A volunteer from a government workers' union comforts
Rio de Janeiro - Arab Today

At the foot of a tall building in downtown Rio de Janeiro, government workers line up for donated groceries, unable to buy their own because their salaries have not been paid.

Inside, on the 13th floor, a food bank set up by a labor union is handing out plastic bags of groceries to help state employees as Brazil struggles through its worst recession in a century.

The state of Rio, which is fighting off bankruptcy, has stopped paying salaries and pensions amid the crisis -- leaving nearly half a million people and their families to depend on private charity.

Celia Moitas Pinto and her sister donated two large bags of food in "solidarity."

Pinto's sister works for the government herself. But she is still getting paid thanks to a court injunction requiring the state to keep paying salaries of employees in the justice system.

She is luckier than her colleagues in public health and education, who have not been paid since November.

"There are recessions all over the world, but here it's been caused by theft and corruption," Pinto said bitterly.

"I'm ashamed to be Brazilian," the 71-year-old added.

Sergio Cabral, the former governor who led Rio during an economic boom that has now gone bust, was jailed in November on corruption, money laundering and racketeering charges.

A judge has frozen part of his assets, ruling he "contributed to the financial crisis devastating the state" by granting undue tax breaks to favored companies during his administration (2007-2014).

Cabral's wife is now behind bars on the same charges.

- 'Humiliating situation' -

The food bank was set up by the justice system workers' union Sindijustica.

Inside its headquarters, some 30 people sorted donated food into piles.

Many wore black t-shirts that read: "The people will not pay for the crisis."

"We put rice, coffee, beans, etc.... hygiene products to lessen our colleagues' anguish and suffering," said volunteer Silvana Soares, a 57-year-old court official.

"They all passed civil service exams to get where they are, and now they find themselves in this humiliating situation."

Rio, which played host to both the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics, has been the state hit hardest by the crisis gripping Brazil, Latin America's largest economy.

Its hospitals are short of supplies, its streets are regularly flooded by government workers demanding their paychecks, and its police force sometimes has no paper or fuel.

Rio's payroll is one of the biggest drains on its troubled finances.

The Rio state government has more than 220,000 employees, plus 247,000 retired government workers. Its monthly wage and pension bill -- when it pays up -- comes to two billion reals ($610 million).

- Paradox city -

The food bank has collected more than 20 tons of donated groceries and distributed 1,500 baskets since it was set up just before Christmas, said fire captain Marcelo Mata, another volunteer.

He too is still getting paid as an employee deemed vital for public security.

"I consider myself lucky," the 43-year-old said. "But for how long?

"We are living a paradox in this city. We spend money for New Year's Eve fireworks on Copacabana Beach, but behind the scenes state employees have nothing."

Still, those helped by the food bank are touched by the donations.

"We're going through an unprecedented crisis. I give thanks to everyone who's helping us," said Yara da Silva, a 50-year-old nurse's aide.

She is still waiting for her November salary of $320, which the government now says will be deposited in five payments starting January 5.

"But what about December, and my Christmas bonus? It's hard. Very hard," da Silva said.

Outside the building, the long line crept along.

"This is humiliating," said septuagenarian pensioner Maurico Lucas. "I got up at 4:00 am to come get food handouts, after 38 years of work. 

"All because of the government's lack of responsibility."

Source: AFP

themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

rios unpaid government workers line up for food rios unpaid government workers line up for food

 



Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

GMT 08:26 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Five things to know about Davos

GMT 21:30 2017 Wednesday ,01 November

New York Times’ third-quarter revenue up 6.1%

GMT 11:09 2017 Friday ,24 November

Berlin police seeking more missing John Lennon items

GMT 06:34 2017 Saturday ,09 December

Rockets down Jazz for eighth straight NBA win

GMT 23:25 2017 Thursday ,16 February

Pakistan adds 16 new fighter jets to its fleet

GMT 10:50 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Saudi university to open driving school for women

GMT 03:31 2017 Saturday ,07 January

Sharjah launches award for refugee support
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
 
 Themuslimchronicle Facebook,themuslimchronicle facebook  Themuslimchronicle Twitter,themuslimchronicle twitter Themuslimchronicle Rss,themuslimchronicle rss  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©

muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle