Landless rural workers occupy Finance Ministry building

Members of the Landless Rural Workers' Movement (MST) occupied the main building of the Finance Ministry in Brasilia on Monday (3), where they unfurled a large banner calling for the resignation of the Minister of Finance, Joaquim Levy. They are protesting against the fiscal adjustment announced in July and cuts in the agrarian reform budget.

The ministry staff was barred from entrance. According to MST, there are about 2,000 protesters. Military police reports 700.

A spokesperson for the movement said the landless workers are not leaving the place until they are allowed to talk with government representatives. MST members in other states are also protesting against the government's budget cuts.

Translated by Mayra Borges