Puerto Rican unions stage protest

Unions in Puerto Rico have called for an island-wide strike for the middle of October to protest against the Government’s plans to send home thousands of public sector workers.



Union leaders and police reportedly clashed yesterday outside the residence of Governor Luis Fortuno during a demonstration.



Some eight thousand public workers were fired in May, and last Friday the government announced that just under 17 thousand more workers are to be cut.



The government says a cut in the public sector is expected to save close to US$400 million.