By Nick Butler

The extension of strikes will delay already behind schedule construction plans ©AFP/Getty ImagesApril 15 - Problems engulfing Rio 2016 are showing no signs of easing after workers at the main Olympic Park in Barra voted to continue strikes which are delaying a construction timetable already well behind schedule.


Around 2,500 workers in the Park have been on strike since April 3 as part of a union-orchestrated protest against Rio Mais, the consortium building the venues, demanding higher pay and improved benefits.

But, despite frequent pledges over the last few week from those associated with the bid that the situation was a minor concern to be resolved soon, workers have voted to continue the strikes and there is no immediate resolution in sight.

"We don't know how long we'll be on strike," Sintraconst-Rio Trade Union President Antonio Figueiredo Souza told Reuters.

 "We are not going back until we get an offer.

"So far that hasn't happened and so it looks like this will end up in the Labour Courts."

The Rio 2016 golf course on the Barra complex is one venue in desperate need of construction as the grass required for the course takes two years to grow ©Getty ImagesThe Rio 2016 golf course on the Barra complex is one venue in desperate need of construction as the grass required for the course takes two years to grow
©Getty Images



Although he admitted the strike was "worrying", Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes has vowed to stay out of the dispute and insisted it is the responsibility of Rio Mais to resolve the situation.

"The consortium is hired and paid for this and have a deadline to deliver," Paes said.

"Therefore, this is a relationship between them and their employees, it's a discussion between them and afterwards they will have to recover this week, these lost days."

A similar stance has been adopted by the Organising Committee and, when speaking to insidethegames at the SportAccord International Convention in Belek last week, sports director Agberto Guimarães insisted the issue is being dealt with by the Government.

He added: "Hopefully it won't delay things too much because the workers will work double shifts when they return."

But considering the wide-ranging concerns voiced over the last week about the speed of construction in Rio, the decision to extend the strikes is a major blow putting even more pressure on an already fraught timetable. 

Gilbert Felli, pictured alongside Rio 2016 Coordination Commission chairman Nowal El Moutawekel, is due to soon make a visit to Rio ©AFP/Getty ImagesGilbert Felli, pictured alongside Rio 2016 Coordination Commission chairman Nowal El Moutawekel, is due to soon make a visit to Rio ©AFP/Getty Images



In response to the fears raised during the SportAccord International Convention in Turkey, which included 18 of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations members raising "serious concerns" to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in relation to venue construction, transport planning, accommodation, financial backing and other support from the three levels of Government, a series of measures have been introduced by the IOC.

This includes the introduction of three task forces, a special advisor and more regular inspections by IOC executive director Gilbert Felli, which will include a visit to the city later this week. 

Officials from eight of the sports due to take place in the second main Games hub at Deodoro, to the north of Barra, are also due to visit the proposed venue next month after voicing particular concerns about whether they would be ready in time.

International Basketball Association secretary general Patrick Baumann even raised the possibility of some Games venues being moved to other cities, although this is not yet being seriously considered.

A further blow emerged yesterday courtesy of a letter, written by former Brazilian Olympic Committee Board member Eric Walther Maleson, calling for the resignation of Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman and labelling him personally responsible for all these problems.