RIO DE JANEIRO, June 12 — Ground staff at Rio de Janeiro’s three airports plan to stage a 24-hour partial strike tomorrow, the day Brazil hosts the opening match of the World Cup.

The workers vowed to maintain 80 per cent service, but the strike will nevertheless raise fears of delays as thousands of football fans descend on the tourist-magnet city around the opening match in Sao Paulo and first game in Rio on Sunday.

The umbrella union that represents the workers is calling for World Cup bonuses, better working conditions and raises of up to 12 per cent, but says employers are offering a maximum of eight per cent.

“After nine months of intense but failed negotiations and intransigence from employers, the Rio de Janeiro Municipal Airports Employees’ Union confirms it will strike on June 12,” the union said on its website.

Rio is one of the major arrival points for foreigners visiting Brazil.

It is a 40-minute flight from Sao Paulo, which hosts tomorrow’s opening match between Brazil and Croatia.

More than three million Brazilians and 600,000 foreigners are expected to crisscross Brazil during the tournament, which wraps up with the final match in Rio on July 13.

The strike will take effect at midnight. — AFP