A worker has died after being struck by a concrete beam while erecting a monorail in in São Paulo. Two other workers were injured in the incident, which happened near the city’s Congonhas airport.Â
The monorail was due to be operational by the start of the World Cup tournament on Thursday, but has faced delays in obtaining environmental licences.
Nobody here wants to mess up the Cup. But we see that there’s money for the tournament but not for the workers– Altino Melo dos Prazeres, Union President
The news of the accident comes as metro workers in São Paulo are threatening to call a strike to coincide with the opening game of the tournament. Another strike was called earlier this week but was cancelled after being declared illegal by a court ruling. Subway workers want a 12.2% pay increase.
The subway in Brazil’s biggest city is now partially closed, which will make it difficult for spectators to get to the Corinthians Arena where Brazil will kick off against Croatia.
There have been delays in Brazil’s airport construction for the World Cup, as well as previous loss of life and workers allegedly living in "slave conditions". Â
The victim of the monorail incident has not yet been identified.
