A months-long strike by Brazil’s environmental enforcement agencies is starting to take its toll on Latin America’s largest economy, with thousands of cars stuck in ports and dozens of power projects caught in limbo.

Since the start of the year, some 4,000 public servants across a series of agencies controlling a swath of activities — including permits for oil and gas licences, as well as fines for illegal deforestation — have halted fieldwork in protest over low wages and poor conditions.

In spite of the pledges of the government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to boost the agencies that suffered under his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, the labour claims include low staffing levels and a lack of bonuses linked to the dangers they face dealing with environmental crime.