According to a report from Agencia Brasil, 3,000 representatives of the leather and footwear sector took part in demonstrations in Brasília to protest against the government's exchange rate policy.

According to the Footwear Industry Association (Abicalçados), last year Brazil footwear exports declined by 20 million pairs, compared with 2004. Meanwhile, footwear imports from China rose by 14 million pairs. Abicalçados claims that as a result of this over 12,000 jobs have been lost in the sector this year alone.

The protestors met with minister of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, Luiz Fernando Furlan, and demanded a level playing field in order to deal with Chinese imports and requested more credit for working capital in the sector.