The Ledesma company, belonging to the Blaquier family and with a workforce of approximately 6 thousand employees nationwide, has announced the dismissal of 165 workers from the sugar sector in Jujuy. This measure is based on the need to reduce costs and expenses to improve the company's competitiveness, also citing a decrease in international sugar prices.
In the context of a complex economic scenario both locally and internationally, Ledesma seeks to strengthen its competitiveness to continue investing in the growth and sustainability of the business. One of the decisions made was to cut current expenses, which included the dismissal of the 165 workers, representing less than 3% of its total workforce.
In light of this situation, the Union of Workers and Employees of Ledesma Sugar Mill (SOEAIL) met with company officials in an unsuccessful attempt to reinstate the dismissed employees. The affected workers have begun receiving termination notices, creating uncertainty among the 6 thousand employees at the Ledesma plant across the country.
The union has denounced the lack of negotiation and the absence of a stated reason for the layoffs, considering this measure as unjust and disproportionate. Additionally, they interpret that the layoffs could be related to next year's collective bargaining negotiations. In response to this situation, the union called the affected workers, representatives, and members to an assembly to decide on possible actions in defense of their jobs.
During the 2024/2025 fiscal year, Ledesma paid a total of 124.061 billion pesos in taxes to the treasury, which stands out as part of its tax contribution. It is evident that the labor conflict between the sugar company and the workers' union is generating tensions that could lead to protest actions by the dismissed employees in defense of their jobs.