Thousands in steelworks demonstration

20 February 2004

CADIZ – More than 4,000 steel workers staged a demonstration Friday at three factories which have been at the centre of violent protests.

The workers, from the Izar steelworks in Seville and Cadiz, in Andalusia, have staged a series of protests against changes in working practices.

Fifty workers and 22 police were injured in clashes between workers outside the factory in Cadiz Tuesday.

There have been other violent clashes between the same group of workers and the authorities.

But the demonstration Friday was said by police sources to be peaceful.

They called for “a future for the steelworkers of the Bay (of Cadiz)”.

Workers carried banners saying “They cannot close the steelworks” and sang songs despite driving rain.

[Copyright EFE with Expatica]

Subject: Spanish news