The number of people that have signed up to take part and show their support for the Demonstration for the Salvation of the Leather and Shoe Sector" has increased by 139% from 345 to 825.
Demonstrators will march in Brasilia in an attempt to raise awareness of the current situation of the industry, and in particular regarding the job losses that are happening. According to the organisers, thousands of workers are unemployed and dozens of shoe factories have closed down since December 2005 as a result of various factors such as the low US dollar exchange rate (which has dropped 40% in the last two years), a huge tax burden and competition from Chinese and Asian products both in the domestic and international markets.
