Job creation a priority for Brazilian president

Rio de Janeiro, Aug 11 (IANS) Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has pledged to put job creation as a priority for her government, especially ensuring jobs for the underprivileged.

Rousseff Friday made the pledge after several public sector services have gone on strike, which have led to the interruption of passport processing and suspension of classes at most state-run universities, reported Xinhua.

"We are facing a crisis in the world and Brazil knows, for it has both feet on the ground, that it can and it will face the crisis and overcome it by ensuring work for all Brazilians," the president said.

"My government will ensure jobs for that portion of the population that is more vulnerable and has no stability, that suffers too often because of unemployment," she said.

Most public university professors have joined the strike, which has entered its third month, to demand better salaries and work conditions as well as improvements in their career plans.

The government has made two offers to teacher unions, but both were rejected as the unions claim that the measures only benefit professors who are nearing the end of their careers, when their salaries are already higher.

Public servants, including national police who handle passport services, have also walked out to demand higher wages.