Strike halts public transit in Brazil

Public transport largely came to a halt across much of Brazil on Friday as protesters blocked roads and scuffled with police in a general strike to protest proposed changes to labor laws and the pension system.

President Michel Temer’s administration argues that more flexible labor rules will revive a moribund economy and warns the pension system will go bankrupt without changes.

Unions and other groups called for the strike, saying that the changes before Congress will make workers too vulnerable and strip away too many benefits.

In Sao Paulo, the country’s largest city, most commuter trains and metro lines were stopped during the height of morning commute, and all buses stayed off the roads.

In Rio de Janeiro, buses ran partial service.

Protesters in both cities set up roadblocks, placing barricades and starting fires in the streets.