In 2001, Chávez used the enabling act, which allowed the President to enact various laws without legislative approval, to enact over 49 laws designed to redistribute land and wealth in Venezuela. This action caused some business and labour circles to grow vary of attempts to consolidate economic and political power. During this time, the new Hydrocarbons Act was also introduced, increasing the taxes companies were required to pay for oil exploitation. Tensions within the country came to a head in 2002 when a coup removed Chávez from power for several days, exploiting the media in Venezuela in order to promote the coup and associated strike as well. This continued for several days until business leader Pedro Carmona and his vice president Diosdado Cabello were removed from Miraflores Palace and Chávez was restored to power. After the coup, Chávez began to purge political opponents from the armed forces, solidifying his power over the institution, as well as later firing 18000 workers at PDVSA who went on general strike in an attempt to force Chávez out of power. The general strike and the aftermath of it allowed Chávez to retake control of PDVSA. The strike cost Venezuela approximately 13.5 billion dollars in direct loses due to the shutdown of PDVSA for over two months and the need to import oil and gas from Brazil to run transport and other facilities.