Bus drivers in São Paulo "have become the latest group to join a wave of strikes engulfing the country just three weeks before it is due to host the World Cup," according to Joe Leahy of the FINANCIAL TIMES. Striking bus drivers "forced at least 12 bus terminals in São Paulo to close on Wednesday," threatening "havoc on the already congested roads of Brazil’s industrial capital." Workers "are attempting to use the looming football tournament to put pressure on employers and the government," with groups ranging from teachers to court workers marching in São Paulo this week "for better salaries and conditions." Maurício Tanabe, a partner with Tauil & Chequer Advogados, a specialist on industrial relations, said, “Companies and the government could have avoided this situation with better planning, better preparation. This is a situation that was completely predictable” (FINANCIAL TIMES, 5/21). BLOOMBERG's Colitt & Biller reported Brazilian police officers joined "in work stoppages." Civil police forces in 14 states including São Paulo "also stopped basic activities such as reporting on thefts and traffic violations, as they seek improved salaries and stricter laws that make it easier to prosecute suspects." Brasilia Civil Police Union Head Rodrigo Franco said, “No crimes will be investigated today. We’re tired of seeing criminals walk free three or four days after we arrest them.” The protests "follow a walkout last week by military police in the northeastern city of Recife, which will host World Cup games, that prompted the government to deploy the national guard and army troops amid reports of looting" (BLOOMBERG, 5/21).
POLITICIANS ARRESTED: REUTERS' Brian Winter reported several leading politicians "have been arrested as part of a large corruption and money laundering probe in Cuiaba, a World Cup host city in Brazil that has had some of the worst delays and other problems" ahead of the tournament. Federal police late on Tuesday "raided the offices of the mayor, a government auditing agency, the district attorney and the legislature of Mato Grosso state," of which Cuiaba is the capital, "in search of documents and other evidence." The state's former finance minister and an ex-head of the state legislature "were arrested and taken to jail in Brasilia." Federal police "also raided the home of Mato Grosso Governor Silval Barbosa in search of documents and arrested him after they found a handgun with an expired license" (REUTERS, 5/21).
