4 February, 2025Japanese multinational Yazaki has closed its two plants in Uruguay, leaving 1,500 workers—1,000 of them women—unemployed. The union is demanding that the factories reopen.
Workers were informed of the decision on 30 January. According to the union, the vehicle components manufacturer shut down its Las Piedras and Colonia plants without prior notice or negotiations, preventing discussions on alternatives to save jobs.
Danilo Dárdano, president of the National Union of Metal and Allied Workers (UNTMRA) and the Confederation of Industrial Trade Unions of Uruguay, said:
“A company cannot just leave overnight. Restructuring must be discussed in advance. The incoming government must change regulations to prevent this from happening again. They have shut the factory and won’t take our calls. The Labour Ministry has scheduled a meeting on redundancies, but we want to discuss reopening.”
In a statement, UNTMRA expressed shock at the closure, noting that throughout 2024 it had been working with industry bodies, the Labour Ministry, and Yazaki on policies to sustain the sector and attract investment. The company cited the low dollar exchange rate and labour disputes as key reasons for its exit, though the union insists it always prioritised job protection over other issues.
Uruguayan trade union federation PIT-CNT condemned the closure, arguing that a company with 240,000 employees in 46 countries cannot justify its exit on production costs and union disputes, given its history of collective bargaining.
At a press conference on 31 January, PIT-CNT president Marcelo Abdala said:
“Yazaki acted in a covert and disloyal manner towards workers and the country. It is unacceptable that they show no concern for the 1,500 workers, the majority women and young people. We call for tripartite talks on economic development and urge the authorities to intervene and defend these jobs.”
IndustriALL regional secretary Marino Vani also criticized the company’s actions:
“Yazaki’s attitude towards the workers and the community in Uruguay is regrettable. We urge management to engage with UNTMRA and reconsider this closure, which is unjustified and a major blow to Uruguay’s economy and MERCOSUR.”