Brasília, 7/30/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Minister of Social Security, Ricardo Berzoini, says that in his opinion the strike by civil servants against the social security reform is legitimate, but that the planned strike by judges is not. "The government sees a strike by workers seeking jobs and social security as legitimate. A strike by highly paid employees is not considered legitimate by the public," declared the minister.

However, Berzoini said the civil servants acted with undue haste in going on strike. He pointed out that the government has been carrying on a dialogue with the sector since the beginning of the year. He added that the strike is detrimental to the country's needy and said that when the strike ends he will seek to maintain a calm negotiating atmosphere with civil servants.

As for the strike by judges which is set to begin on August 5, Berzoini criticized the position of magistrates who want to increase the ceiling on pensions for judges from the government's proposed 75% to 90.25%. According to the minister, Brazilian judges get salaries far above the national average and have no reason to complain. (AB)