23:46 28-09-2025

Toyota Brazil workers approve temporary layoffs after hurricane damage at Porto Feliz

Toyota workers in Brazil have almost unanimously backed a temporary layoff plan after a September 22 hurricane with torrential rain seriously damaged the Porto Feliz engine plant. The storm forced the company to halt operations not only at that site but also at the Sorocaba assembly plant, where the Yaris, Corolla, and Corolla Cross are built.

According to the Sorocaba Metalworkers Union, more than 96% of employees voted for a plan designed to preserve jobs and income. Of 4,492 workers, 3,709 took part. Under the agreement, 20 days of mandatory leave begin on October 1, followed by a period of temporary layoffs starting October 21 that can be extended monthly for up to 150 days. The turnout and margin show a workforce rallying around stability when uncertainty hits.

Toyota said its assessment of the damage is still underway and that repairs will take months. In the meantime, the company intends to draw engines from other Toyota plants outside Brazil to restart vehicle production in Sorocaba and Indaiatuba. It’s a pragmatic workaround to keep momentum, though aligning supply and logistics rarely happens at the flick of a switch.

A key condition of the deal is the preservation of full pay for workers earning up to 10,000 reais (about $1,870) a month. The union views this as essential to protect employees’ families during the enforced pause—an approach that can soften the blow in communities where factory rhythms set the pace of everyday life.