Schools, shopping malls and franchises set to reopen

www.vheadline.com Posted: Tuesday, January 28, 2003 - 2:15:17 AM By: Robert Rudnicki

Support for the opposition-led national work stoppage appears to be waning as many of the nation's schools, shopping malls and fast food franchises look set to reopen as they look to recover from the crippling effects of the stoppage, which commenced on December 2, and has so far failed in its objective of removing President Hugo Chavez Frias and his government from office. 

Shopping malls will decide over the next couple of days whether to reopen their doors, but the early signs seem to point to a reopening, under the guise of aiding the opposition's mini referendum of February 2. 

• Some schools have already restarted classes, and more look destined to follow as many Venezuelans begin to consider the long term costs of failing to provide education to their children. 

The vast majority of Venezuela's many fast food franchises have remained shut since the now eight-week-old stoppage began, but most are now set to reopen as they face the prospect of going bankrupt.

However, despite claims that workers in the all important oil industry were returning to work, striking Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) management insist they will continue to support the stoppage.