Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
6 min of reading 
232 comments 
Unexpected Closure Of Industrial Unit In Ceará Affects Hundreds Of Workers, Occurs After Internal Operational Changes And Exposes Local Economic Impacts, Corporate Strategies Of The Company And Reaction Of Unions, City Hall And State Government In The Face Of The Discontinuation Of Productive Activities.
The Heineken factory in Pacatuba, in the Metropolitan Region of Fortaleza, ceased production earlier this month and laid off 98 direct employees, according to information confirmed by the union of the category.
In addition to them, estimates indicate that around 250 outsourced workers also lost their jobs, which could raise the total number of layoffs to approximately 350 people.
The company did not publicly detail the final number of affected workers.
-
The institute that trained the greatest aerospace engineers in Brazil has just opened its first campus outside São Paulo after 75 years: ITA Ceará will have R$ 445 million, new courses in energy and systems, and classes are expected to start in 2027.
-
Luciano Hang, owner of Havan, goes to Juiz de Fora after the tragedy in February, brings R$ 1 million, hands out R$ 2,000 cards, and donates up to R$ 15,000 to victims in the region.
-
The Brazilian passport allows legal residence in dozens of countries without the need for a prior visa, and most Brazilians are unaware that they can apply for residency directly upon arriving in nations in South America, Africa, and even Europe.
-
Petrobras sends a message to Brazilian truck drivers after fuel collapse and reveals plan to have 100% domestic diesel.
According to a report published by the Diário do Nordeste at the beginning of this December, the internal environment of the unit was marked by uncertainties in the days leading up to the closure.
“The last few days were very distressing. The level of anxiety among the people in the factory was very high, due to the uncertainty that prevailed,” reported a technician from the plant, who asked not to be identified for fear of retaliation.
He had worked for 15 years at the company and claims to have been laid off along with 97 other direct employees.
In response, Heineken did not inform how many direct and outsourced workers it had at the Ceará unit, nor did it provide details about the procedure adopted for the layoffs.
The City Hall of Pacatuba also stated that it does not have consolidated official numbers about the total jobs linked to the factory.
Operational Changes Preceded Factory Closure
According to the investigation by the Diário do Nordeste, the closure of activities was not formally communicated to the workers until the day of the announcement.
Still, operational changes were already underway.
One of the main signs occurred in July, when the bottle line was deactivated, leaving only the production of cans at the unit.
Until then, the Pacatuba plant bottled brands such as Kaiser, Tiger, Skin, Amstel and Devassa in 600 ml and 300 ml glass containers.
The interruption of this line led some workers to interpret the measure as temporary, while internal adjustments were being evaluated.
“We were in indecision about how the future of the factory would be. We were hoping the line would reopen, maybe in September, but that didn’t happen,” stated the technician in an interview given to the Diário do Nordeste.
He reported that starting in October, there was a reduction in the receipt of inputs and a gradual decrease in the presence of service providers.
Moreover, according to the former employee, last month the tanks began to be emptied.
Despite this, there were different interpretations among the workers about the significance of the measure.
“Those hopeful believed it would be emptied and restart,” he said.
Others, however, began to consider the closure as a concrete possibility.
Training Preceded Announcement Of Closure Of Activities
The newspaper also pointed out that the official communication of the closure occurred after a day of training and group dynamics with the workers.
No prior indication was given that the unit would be deactivated.
The following morning, according to a report published by the Diário do Nordeste, the presence of external teams drew attention upon arriving at the factory.
Among them were human resources professionals from other units of the group.
Subsequently, management communicated the closure of the operations of the Pacatuba brewery.
After the announcement, some employees were sent for dismissal examinations conducted on-site.
Another smaller group remained at the unit to work on the decommissioning process.
This stage involves the definitive cessation of production and the organization of the removal or disposal of equipment, chemicals, and other materials still stored.
According to the investigation by the newspaper, this group was also responsible for procedures related to the disposal of canned beers that remained in stock.
Union Confirms Dismissals And Negotiation Of Benefits
The Union of Workers in Mineral Water, Beer, and Beverages Industries of the State of Ceará (Sindibebidas) confirmed that 98 direct employees were laid off.
The union representative, Fernando Matos, reported that there was negotiation of benefits and that the company mentioned the possibility of transfer to other units of the group.
“In total, 98 workers will be affected. The union has already negotiated benefits for these employees. The company will also present proposals for transfer to Pernambuco and São Paulo,” Matos stated.
He also emphasized that, following changes in labor legislation, union homologation of terminations is no longer mandatory.
According to the representative, the technical qualification of professionals can favor re-employment processes.
Still, the immediate impact of the layoffs is felt by the affected families and the local economy.
In response to the Diário do Nordeste, Heineken stated, in a note, that “in addition to internal relocation efforts that preserved 25 jobs by directing employees to other operations, we structured a broader support package for the laid-off professionals.”
The company did not detail what measures are included in this package.
The former employee interviewed by the newspaper reported that letters of recommendation and temporary extension of health insurance were mentioned.
“I loved working at this factory. I lived nearby, and I will leave friends and dreams I planted,” he declared.
Group Strategy And Investments Outside Of Ceará
According to the worker, on the day of the announcement, Heineken associated the closure with strategic decisions of the company.
Recent investments in other regions of the country were also mentioned.
The group modernized the plant in Igarassu, Pernambuco, with a disclosed investment of R$ 1.2 billion.
Additionally, it inaugurated a new brewery in Passos, Minas Gerais, built from scratch, with an announced investment of more than R$ 2.5 billion.
In the assessment presented by the former employee to the Diário do Nordeste, the Pacatuba unit would have been at a disadvantage compared to newer plants regarding modernization and portfolio diversity.
He mentioned that newer units focus on the production of premium brands and products with greater added value.
There was no statement that this was the official justification from the company.
City Hall Says It Was Not Informed In Advance
The City Hall of Pacatuba reported that it was officially informed of the closure of productive activities only on Tuesday (2).
It was the same day that workers received the news.
In an official letter, the company stated that the decision aligns with the group’s strategy of transformation, operational efficiency, and sustainable growth.
The document also notes that, within this vision, the Pacatuba unit no longer plays a strategic role.
The text also acknowledges the contribution of employees and mentions the offer of support during the transition.
The Economic Development Secretary of the municipality, João José Pinto, told the Diário do Nordeste that the administration is seeking alternatives to reduce the impacts.
According to him, the mayor has already discussed the matter with Governor Elmano, and the goal is to coordinate the attraction of a new industry to occupy the space and generate jobs.
20
1
Kkkk Uhuuuuuu Tô Adorandoooo…..
Afinal o importante era “tirar o ****” né mesmo Seus **** Arrombados…..????🤔🤔😂😂
Agora Fazuely e Vão viver de amor seus Lixos…..😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣
Você se acha uma pessoa normal , reveja seus conceitos , falta caráter , educação e empatia 🤔
Essa gente é ****, **** e sem limites para a ignorância, querem atribuir todas as coisas ruins do mundo a Lula que não tem nada a ver com a decisão da empresa. Quanto a BYD que está em Camaçari na Bahia no lugar da Ford que rapou fora do Brasil no governo anterior você vibrou também?