81.   However, sentiment remains positive because of the threat of strikes at Norilsk, the giant Russian mining complex, where workers are protesting over wage arrears.

82.   In both cases workers were protesting layoffs caused by the crippling political standoff which has damaged the economy.

83.   In particular, the workers have protested a refusal by the Polish government to guarantee loans for contracts to build five ships for German customers.

84.   The steel workers were protesting against the loss of jobs arising from the bankruptcy of their plant at Tubize south of Brussels in January.

85.   The workers were protesting against the use of imported foreign labour when local unemployment rates were so high.

86.   The vice president of IG Metall, Walter Riester, said that more than one million workers had so far protested against the cut.

87.   The workers had protested against lay-offs, alleged corruption in government and enterprise management and insufficient severance pay.

88.   The workers have been protesting restrictions on their right to claim unemployment benefits between short-term contracts.

89.   Workers are notably protesting plans to curb their pension rights and a new tax levied to help pay off the massive social security budget deficit.

90.   Workers are notably protesting plans to curb their pension rights as well as new taxes levied to help pay off the massive social security budget deficit.