A fortnight ago workers took strike action following an explosion, which injured one of their colleagues.

They demanded better pay, security and family health care, but the contractor carrying out renovation work on the new Stadium said that it would be asking the Labour Tribunal to declare the strike illegal.

But Luiz Fonseca, the director of the construction workers' union, said that they had decided to resume a strike after claiming that an agreement reached following the end of the original strike had been reneged upon.

"We had the promise of an increase in our basic wage and we haven't received it so far.

"Also important to the workers is the inclusion of family members in the health plan," Fonseca said.

Conversely, some positive news was revealed earlier this week when estimates of the cost of renovation were reduced by 72 million reais ($44 million/£27 million/€31 million).

The Maracanã has had to have a new roof installed after there were problems with the previous one, and the pace of renovation works has raised concerns that the stadium may not be ready for the 2013 Confederations Cup.

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