Consumers jam lottery retailers and ATMs as bank strike continues

The nationwide strike by bank workers is now more than a week old and
seems to be expanding. As the beginning of the month is bill-paying
time, consumers are facing a complicated situation [well, at least the
postal strike is expected to end today so the bills will arrive in the
mail – the problem is how to pay them].

In Brazil, most bills can be paid at lottery retailers, but only up to a
limit of R$800. There are also ATMs. Internet banking exists, as well
as banking by phone in some cases, but are not widespread. The existence
of huge lines in the lotteries and ATMs is proof of that.

A retired accountant, Sebastião do Vale, who had been standing in a
very long line in a lottery retailer, told Agência Brasil that the bank
strikes have become an annual routine. “It happens every year. And it is
an enormous inconvenience for the people,” he complained.