Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has started negotiations with protesters, who since mid-June have led massive rallies in major cities requesting better public services.

Rousseff, together with Education Minister Aloisiu Mercadanti met Friday in capital Brasilia with leaders of 25 youth organizations to discuss their demands.

There was not a statement regarding the results after the meeting, but Rousseff vowed to open new channels of dialogue with protesters.

The government plans to open on July 8 a new website devoted to youth problems.

Friday there were strong rallies in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paolo and Natal, with police using teargas at some locations.

There are reports on social networks for a general strike Monday, but trade union leaders have said that no such event is planned.

However, July 11 trade unions are planning a nationwide slowdown protest.

Rallies in Brazil were triggered by requests for better and more accessible public transportation, but quickly morphed to wider social demands, such as for instance an end to police brutality and a reduction of the working week from 44 to 40 h.