Mercedes-Benz announces layoff of 1,500 employees
Mercedes-Benz will put 1,500 employees from the production sector in São Bernardo do Campo on layoff, from February 17th. They will have a paid leave for an indefinite period. According to the company, the market for trucks and buses has been declining since 2014, and it has produced surplus employees.
The factory totals around 10,000 employees and has already joined the Employment Protection Program (PPE), which was meant as a temporary fix that will reduce working hours and wages by up to 30%. Half of the pay cut amount will be compensated to workers through funding from the Worker Protection Fund (FAT).
Mercedes joined the PPE in September last year, and it should last until May to almost all employees. By reducing the working hours, these workers stay at home during four days of the week.
The company reported that they have intensified efforts in order not to dismiss their employees. "Mercedes-Benz is adopting several measures for flexibility and workforce management to handle with the idleness in the ABC region, like lay-offs, POS, licenses and paid leaves, but meanwhile there is no sign of economic recovery".
Agência Brasil could not contact the Metalworkers' Union ABC.
Translated by Amarílis Anchieta
Fonte: Mercedes-Benz announces layoff of 1,500 employees
