Thousands of workers across 12 of Brazil’s cities have taken to the streets in order to protest a proposed congressional bill that will promote outsourcing.

Sao Paulo, Brazil’s largest business hub, saw peaceful protests of just under 1,000 people. However, thousands turned out to protest in the capital Brasilia, resulting in clashes with police, who fired tear gas at the demonstrators.

The discussed legislation would facilitate outsourcing across a wide array of industries in both the private and the public sector.

Brazil’s Central Única dos Trabalhadores (CUT) union organised the demonstrations, claiming that ‘the bill withdraws, in practice, rights won by workers with difficulty and gives bosses the legal right to employ as they see fit.’

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