Panel SA: Union visits Americanas stores to guide employee about accounting scandal

The Commerce Workers Union of São Paulo started a round of visits to Americanas stores to guide workers about the R$ 20 billion accounting scandal on the retailer’s balance sheet.

The idea, according to Ricardo Patah, president of the union, is to establish a dialogue channel to receive reports on possible effects of the problem on the daily lives of workers in the stores.

“Unfortunately, in Brazil, we have had many experiences of bankruptcies, such as Casa Centro, Mesbla, Mappin and others. We are taking preventive measures, in case this happens, because the value is exorbitant and the number of employees is enormous, there are 40 thousand in the country. We don’t want it to have consequences for the workers,” says Patah.

He claims that the union has prepared a document inviting the company to explain the possible consequences of the case and whether there is a risk of impact on employment. It will also forward a document to the Public Ministry of Labor to demonstrate concern and suggest joint action to understand the problem.

“Often, workers on site are sensitive and know how to inform us, before any procedure becomes public. In addition to visiting the stores, our website will also inform Americanas workers to look for us if they notice any type of movement different,” says Patah.

The retailer obtained an injunction on Friday (13) that protects it for 30 days against early debt maturity, a period that can be used to seek an agreement with creditors or file for judicial recovery.

Joana Cunha with Paulo Ricardo Martins and Diego Felix