Casas Bahia employees report issues with severance and benefits

Former employees of the retailer Casas Bahia are reporting significant difficulties in receiving severance pay and accessing benefits such as the Severance Indemnity Fund (FGTS) and unemployment insurance. The National Confederation of Commerce Workers (CNTC) has collected over 80 complaints regarding these issues following the company's recent restructuring.

The layoffs occurred shortly before Casas Bahia filed for judicial recovery on August 16, citing total debts of R$ 17.3 billion, which includes R$ 754 million in labor obligations. The restructuring process involved the closure of 298 stores and the dismissal of approximately 3,000 workers.

On September 2, the Superior Labor Court (TST) upheld an injunction suspending collective dismissals, ordering the reinstatement of employment ties and benefits for 1,900 workers. Casas Bahia has appealed this decision. The company stated that dismissal payments are now subject to the rules of the judicial recovery process, asserting that worker rights remain secured under applicable legal determinations.