Uruguay · LABOUR
Key Facts
- —What happened The union rejected a plan to cut 150 jobs at Frigorífico Tacuarembó.
- —How big The plant has 1,700 direct employees, a figure from April 2026.
- —The real story The plan also includes pay cuts and sending workers to unemployment insurance.
- —The catch The plan is described only by the union; no company statement was found.
- —Who is involved The plant is owned by Marfrig group, with union led by Hugo Gálvez.
- —What comes next On 3 September 2026, the union will present a counter-proposal to the company.
The union says it will not accept the dismissals, and a counter-proposal is due in early September.
The union at the Frigorífico Tacuarembó meat plant has rejected a company restructuring plan that proposes cutting 150 jobs. The plan also includes changes to productivity and pay, as well as sending some workers to unemployment insurance.
The Plan at Frigorífico Tacuarembó
According to El País, the company presented the restructuring plan to workers at the Frigorífico Tacuarembó plant. The plan includes cutting 150 jobs and changes tied to productivity and salaries.
Subrayado reported the plan in blunter terms, saying it includes 150 dismissals, sending workers to unemployment insurance, and a pay cut. The union’s account also mentions the outsourcing of the loading department.
A frigorífico is a meat-packing plant where cattle are slaughtered and processed. The proposal was tabled at a hearing before the MTSS, Uruguay’s labour ministry.
However, the plan also includes sending workers to unemployment insurance, a scheme that suspends them with reduced state pay. Meanwhile, the outsourcing of the loading department is part of the union’s account.
Union Rejects the Proposal
The union rejected the company’s decision and said it will not accept the dismissals, as reported by Subrayado. The union’s position is clear: ‘We are not going to accept the 150 dismissals.
This is a public rejection, not a formal resolution or vote. Negotiation remains open, with the union preparing a counter-proposal.
The union’s rejection is public, but no formal vote or resolution has been recorded. Negotiation remains open, with the union preparing a counter-proposal.
In addition, the union’s rejection is public, but no formal vote or resolution has been recorded. Still, negotiation remains open, with the union preparing a counter-proposal.
Who Is Involved
Meanwhile, the plant union is the Asociación de Obreros y Empleados del Frigorífico de Tacuarembó, led by Hugo Gálvez. The dispute is backed by FOICA, the national meat industry workers’ federation, whose president Martín Cardozo spoke to El País.
FOICA belongs to the PIT-CNT, Uruguay’s single national trade union centre. The owner of the plant is the Marfrig group, which operates in Uruguay under the MBRF brand.
The plant belongs to the Marfrig group, operating under the MBRF brand. However, no acquisition date has been found, so the year of purchase remains unknown.
Meanwhile, the plant union is led by Hugo Gálvez, while FOICA’s president Martín Cardozo spoke to El País. However, no acquisition date for the plant has been found, so the year remains unknown.
Where the Proposal Was Tabled
The company presented the proposal at a hearing before the MTSS, Uruguay’s ministry of labour and social security, according to El País. The ministry hosted the formal negotiation instance.
The proposal will be examined by workers at an assembly called for 6 p.m. that Friday, as reported by El País. The MTSS is the Ministerio de Trabajo y Seguridad Social, hosting formal negotiations.
The proposal was presented there, but the ministry has not ruled or mediated. The proposal was presented at a hearing before the MTSS, which hosts formal negotiations.
However, the ministry has not ruled or mediated in this dispute.
What Is Still Undefined
Still, the union officer made clear it is not yet settled which workers or departments would be affected. This was reported by El País.
In addition, the size of the proposed pay cut and the number of workers going to unemployment insurance have not been disclosed. No company statement has been found; the plan is described by the union.
The union stated that no specific workers or departments have been identified for the cuts. In addition, the size of the pay cut and number affected remain undisclosed.
In addition, the size of the proposed pay cut and the number of workers going to unemployment insurance have not been disclosed. Since no company statement was found, the plan is described by the union.
Next Steps and Counter-Proposal
Therefore, on 3 September 2026, the union will meet the company and present a counter-proposal, as reported by Subrayado. This meeting is a key step in the ongoing negotiation.
Meanwhile, the union has stated it will not accept the dismissals, but the door remains open for dialogue. The counter-proposal is expected to offer alternatives.
The meeting on 3 September 2026 is set, but no date for the assembly was given. The union aims to avoid dismissals through dialogue.
Therefore, on 3 September 2026, the union will meet the company and present a counter-proposal. Meanwhile, no date for the assembly was given, but the union aims to avoid dismissals.
Sector-Wide Concerns
The dispute at Frigorífico Tacuarembó comes amid broader concerns in Uruguay’s meat industry. In October 2025, FOICA told President Orsi that about 2,000 meat-industry workers were sent to unemployment insurance, a problem recurring monthly.
Moreover, El Observador reported FOICA’s concern over possible loss of hundreds of meat-plant jobs, citing Carrasco and Colonia problems. In addition, the union blamed multinational companies’ conduct.
The 2,000 workers on unemployment insurance figure is from October 2025, not 2026. Meanwhile, similar issues have hit other plants, showing a broader trend.
In October 2025, FOICA told President Orsi about 2,000 workers on unemployment insurance, a problem recurring monthly. However, this figure is from 2025, not 2026.
Other Plants Facing Similar Issues
The Casa Blanca plant suspended activities in March 2026, with 220 workers going to unemployment insurance for 60 days, according to PIT-CNT. This shows a pattern in the sector.
By contrast, at the Marfrig plant in Tarariras, the company pushed a restructuring. It envisaged around 120 job cuts, per La Diaria in June 2026.
These cases highlight the pressure on meat workers. The Casa Blanca plant’s suspension and the Tarariras restructuring show the pressure across the sector.
Tacuarembó is the third plant in the same squeeze. Meanwhile, the Casa Blanca plant suspended activities in March 2026, with 220 workers on unemployment insurance.
In addition, the Tarariras plant faced a restructuring with around 120 job cuts.
Background on the Plant
A frigorífico is a meat-packing plant where cattle are slaughtered, cut, and chilled or frozen for sale and export. Frigorífico Tacuarembó is located in the northern Uruguayan city of Tacuarembó.
In April 2026, the plant opened an expansion that added 570 workers, bringing direct employees to 1,700, according to El Observador. This figure is from April, not August 2026.
The expansion in April 2026 added 570 workers, reaching 1,700 direct employees. This headcount is dated, not a current figure.
In April 2026, the plant opened an expansion that added 570 workers, reaching 1,700 direct employees. However, this headcount is dated, not a current figure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Frigorífico Tacuarembó?
It is a meat-packing plant in the northern Uruguayan city of Tacuarembó. The plant belongs to the Marfrig group and operates under the MBRF brand.
Why did the union reject the plan?
The union rejected the plan because it includes 150 dismissals, which it says it will not accept. The union also opposes the pay cut and the use of unemployment insurance.
What happens next in the dispute?
On 3 September 2026, the union will meet the company and present a counter-proposal aimed at avoiding the dismissals. Negotiation remains open.
Is the plant closing down?
No. There is no information about the plant closing or production stopping. The restructuring plan is about job cuts and changes, not a shutdown.
Connected Coverage
Sources: El País; Subrayado; El Observador; La Diaria; PIT-CNT; Presidencia de la República del Uruguay.
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