21.   Even the daily cacophony in thriving capitalist Hong Kong eased as construction workers briefly downed tools in respect.

22.   Factory workers downed tools, bus drivers refused to work and hundreds of people took part in shows of support across Belgium for examining magistrate Jean-Marc Connerotte.

23.   Thousands of German metalworkers downed tools Friday seeking a six percent pay hike in response to a strike call by the powerful IG Metall union.

24.   Thousands of workers in the German electrical, engineering and metalworking sectors downed tools last month in pursuit of higher wages.

25.   They stressed their demand when they temporarily downed their tools for several hours early this week, despite assurances from Holt.

26.   Workers at a courier service here downed tools this week in protest at two managers who allegedly kicked around a package containing a gift for President Nelson Mandela.

27.   Workers downed their tools in the village and in the surrounding fields as the funeral began and restaurants remained closed throughout the morning.

28.   Workers also briefly downed tools at a turbine factory near Tarbes, in southwestern France.

29.   Workers are demanding wage arrears, and have threatened to down tools.

30.   Workers downed tools after a sacked union official set himself on fire last week in a suicide attempt following a beating by company security guards.