Brazilian steelmaker Usiminas has confirmed proposed lower wages and reduced shifts for its employees in three sites, according to media reports.
The proposal was sent to employees in the sites of Belo Horizonte and Ipatinga, both in the state of Minas Gerais state, as well as to clerks in Cubatao, Sao Paulo. The Cubatao site recently had a blast furnace idled, in an effort to balance demand with production.
In a statement, the company said that it’s adjusting itself to the current scenario of crisis in the Brazilian industrial sector as a way to avoid layoffs.
“In this sense, the company is opting for reduced shifts for the administrative departments in all its units,” the company said.
According to the proposal, employees won’t work a day in the week, but will receive proportionally less for the day off. Usiminas didn’t disclose how many workers could be affected, but sources estimated the measure could reach 3,000 employees.