CEOAFRICA gathered that Oil workers began a strike on Thursday to protest against the oil exploration rights auction on Monday in Brazil and it has disrupted production on more than 40 oil platforms.

According to source, President Dilma Rousseff has ordered that more than 1,000 troops be deployed outside the seafront hotel in Rio de Janeiro where the auction will be held.

The Brazilian union leaders have criticised a decision to deploy the army to ensure security at a controversial oil exploration rights auction. According to Jose Antonio de Moraes, president of the Unified Federation of Oil Workers (FUP), it is absurd that the Brazilian government deploys army troops to guarantee that the Libra oil field is handed over to foreigners

The 40,000 Petrobras employees are also demanding a pay rise and changes to plans to have some services contracted out to private companies."Our aim is not to hurt the population, but we will carry on with the strike for an indefinite period, until our demands are met," Mr Moraes said.