Construction halted at Rio 2016 venues

A worker overlooks construction at an Olympics venue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Rio de Janeiro, May 19 Construction was halted at some Rio 2016 Olympic venues as workers went on strike over a salary dispute.

About 70 percent of an estimated 12,000 heavy construction workers here took part in the strike on Monday, according to SITRAICP union with the workers demanding a pay rise of 8.5 percent, about 1.4 percent above what their employers have offered, reports Xinhua.

A statement on SITRAICP's website said the strike would last for at least five days.

"If a resolution is not agreed before then, the strike will continue indefinitely," the statement said.

The action has affected work at the Deodoro Olympic Park, scheduled to host 11 Olympic and four Paralympic events, and the Joao Havelange stadium, earmarked for athletics. Work on Rio's subway has also been affected.

SITRAICP agreed to a court order to keep 30 percent of the union's workers active during the impasse.