AN international campaign has been launched in support of two Brazilian health workers suspended for speaking out about the government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Public Services International (PSI) has joined forces with Brazil’s Health Workers’ Union Sindsaude-SP to demand the reinstatement of trade union leaders Edson Fedelino and Marilurdes Silva de Faria.

They were suspended without pay earlier this month after they were interviewed about the appalling conditions and lack of PPE in the Sao Paulo general hospital.

Brazil is in the grip of the world’s third-worst outbreak of the disease, outside of the United States and India.

The South American country has registered more than 17 million cases with the official death toll rising to 493,693. On Wednesday Brazil recorded 95,367 new cases in 24 hours.

Far-right President Jair Bolsonaro has faced calls for his impeachment, with former president Lula accusing him of presiding over a “genocide.”

An inquiry is underway into his handling of the pandemic, including attempts to stop regional governors from implementing measures to contain the virus.

“The government's response to the Covid-19 crisis has been one of the worst in the world. A lethal combination of denial, public violation of the basic practices of social distancing recommended by the World Health Organisation and active sabotage of efforts to acquire vaccines,” a LabourStart statement said.

“Please support these union leaders by demanding the immediate reversal of Edson and Marilurdes’ suspensions,” it added.

A petition can be signed here.