Thousands of unpaid Rio state workers protest in Brazil

RIO DE JANEIRO – Thousands of employees for Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro state are protesting against government austerity measures being considered by lawmakers.

Police, firefighters and school teachers were among the workers gathering Monday outside Rio de Janeiro state’s legislative assembly.

Amid a deep economic crisis the state hasn’t been able to pay salaries and pensions on time.

Protesters blame a combination of poor management, a fall in oil prices and corruption for the state’s woes.

Two former Rio state governors were recently arrested and are under investigation for corruption and vote buying.

Protesters clashed with police for hours during a similar protest last week.

Civil police union chief Francisco Chao says workers are desperate. In his words, “Desperate people undertake desperate actions.”