About 700 workers at Frigorífico Carrasco, Minerva Foods' plant in the department of Canelones, have been on temporary unemployment benefits since November 1, 2025, and their coverage expires on June 30. Without an extension of the benefit or a reopening date, they would effectively face indirect dismissal as of July 1.
Martín Cardozo, president of the meatworkers' union FOICA and a Carrasco employee, told WBR that during a recent meeting at the Ministry of Labor, the company informed workers that operations will not resume until next year. "We are in the process of applying for another extension of the unemployment benefit, but there is no guarantee it will be approved," he said.
"The company says it wants to resume operations without laying anyone off, but it is not giving us anything concrete. They told us: 'See you in January,'" Cardozo summarized.
According to Cardozo, Minerva has cited two reasons for keeping the plant idle: high cattle prices for slaughter and differences over the collective bargaining agreement. Regarding cattle prices, he acknowledged that the union has no influence, but said there has always been a willingness to negotiate labor issues.
The union leader believes the situation is part of a deliberate company strategy. "The reality is that these companies use the unemployment benefit system to reduce costs and manage their finances. They did it in Canelones, at BPU, and at other plants. It is a form of pressure: workers remain on unemployment benefits while the company continues slaughtering cattle at its other plants to meet commitments, then seeks workforce reductions and wage cuts in exchange for keeping people employed," he said.
Minerva Foods operates four plants in Uruguay: Frigorífico Carrasco and Canelones in Canelones, Breeders & Packers Uruguay (BPU) in Durazno, and Pulsa in Cerro Largo. A meeting between FOICA and the Ministry of Labor and Social Security is scheduled for next week, while ministry officials are also expected to meet with company representatives.
So far this year, Minerva has slaughtered 208,136 head of cattle at its three operating plants (Canelones, BPU, and Pulsa), accounting for 21.5% of Uruguay's total slaughter. Only MBRF ranks higher, with a 27.6% market share (266,633 head slaughtered). The Urgal family group (Pando and San Jacinto) ranks third, processing 165,378 head, or 17.1% of the national total.
