Workers at Toyota in Brazil have voted overwhelmingly to approve a temporary layoff plan after storm damage forced the shutdown of the company’s Porto Feliz engine factory in São Paulo state.
The September 22 storm, marked by heavy rain and strong winds, severely damaged the facility, disrupting production there and at Toyota’s Sorocaba plant, where models such as the Yaris, Corolla, and Corolla Cross are assembled.
According to the Metalworkers’ Union of Sorocaba and vicinity, over 96% of workers supported the proposal. Out of 4,492 eligible employees, 3,709 participated in the vote. The plan includes a 20-day emergency vacation starting Wednesday, followed by temporary layoffs beginning October 21, which may be extended monthly for up to 150 days.
One of the key negotiated guarantees ensures that workers earning up to 10,000 reais ($1,869) per month will continue to receive full pay during the layoff period.
Toyota said it is still assessing the damage at Porto Feliz and expects months of downtime before operations can resume. To mitigate the impact, the company is seeking alternative engine supplies from overseas Toyota units in order to restart vehicle production at its Sorocaba and Indaiatuba plants.
