07/01/2016
Samarco has negotiated with the unions an extension of the period of employment assurance. The originally established term was supposed to end on March 01, but has now been extended to April 25. The proposal is part of the Company’s effort to preserve its own work force, represented by some 3 thousand employees, and is aligned with its value of respect for people. The negotiated proposal also includes the implementation, starting on January 25, of a temporary layoff of three months. In addition, all of the benefits of the collective agreement will be maintained.
During this period, the employees will not perform their jobs as usual, but will instead participate in employments skills training offered by Samarco. The Company will supply a monthly compensatory allowance, which, added to the stipend established by law for this type of layoff, will assure the nominal salary of the employees. The proposal will now be submitted to a meeting of the employees for their approval after their return to their units next Monday, the 11th, on dates to be scheduled by the unions.
Although never resorted to before at Samarco, temporary layoffs are widely used in the country, mainly in the auto industry. In addition to assuring jobs, income and worker benefits, the measure has the further advantage of allowing the employers to lower their costs and to adjust to potential reductions in demand, and hopefully to be able to eventually resume production.
