7000. Layoff this week.

bachata · #1 04-08-2009, 11:22 AM

The biggest manufacturing company of Santiago “Grupo M” almost closing operation
As their most important clients in the US is no demanding the product.
Every day things are getting worse “Zona franca” is the support of Santiago.

JJ

CFA123 · #2 04-08-2009, 11:28 AM

JJ,
Did you find this information online or word of mouth?
If you have a link to a news story, I would appreciate it.

bachata · #3 04-08-2009, 11:37 AM

Ediciones Anteriores Radio

Talk radio show, that I listend every day in the mornings. If you speak spanish go for ediciones grabadas them click on Miercoles 8 de Abril.

JJ

CFA123 · #4 04-08-2009, 11:59 AM

Thanks, JJ.
I may have been able to struggle through the Spanish... but I couldn't get the link to play. Perhaps on another machine.

After seeing your post, I asked a few questions and was told they shut down one factory recently... hopefully this was just discussion of that...i hate to hear they're announcing more layoffs, but there's no doubt volume decreases and pricing pressures must be impacting them.

bachata · #5 04-08-2009, 12:18 PM

I hope they can solve this situation maybe trying to get different clients; I have many friends that works for this company I used to work for them indirectly doing transportation for locals employs and some time for executive Americans contractors when they come to visit the DR.

JJ

jorgesarduysousa · #6 04-08-2009, 02:59 PM

this problem is not solved by getting another client, it has to do with the way this administration as forgotten the Free Zones; dont expect a quick fix, especially the way the economy is

CFA123 · #7 04-08-2009, 03:09 PM

more than forgotten, from what I know. as I heard it leonel's words direct to adozona and business owners a couple of years ago was that they were on their own with industries such as apparel... he was going to focus on 'high tech'. so, the remnants of a once thriving industry are almost completely gone to Haiti or Asia. the businesses never would have lasted here forever as it always moves where costs are lower... but it might could have kept tens of thousands employed a little longer with a few govt concessions.

AZB · #8 04-08-2009, 04:32 PM

If grupo M collapses, we will be in grave problems in Santiago.
AZB

pkaide1 · #9 04-08-2009, 05:27 PM

This is what I Heard in the radio show 5000 in Santiago,
2000 in Tamboril and in San Francisco the number is not given.

CFA123 · #10 04-08-2009, 05:36 PM

But that's a total of layoffs this week, this year, in the last year?

I read online about 500+/- jobs lost this week in San Francisco at an apparel operation. Grupo-M supposedly closed one of their factories in Santiago in recent weeks, but that wouldn't account for 5000 in Santiago.

Ok, found the article for FM (Grupo-M) reduction from 1500-500 people back in March. http://www.adozona.org/esp/noticiasdet.asp?codid=1193 Was told it's now closed, but I can't confirm that myself. That factory has to date back at least 20 years at this point - probably produced close to 30 million pants & kept a lot of people employed while doing so. What's not counted is the indirect impact - transportation, local suppliers of boxes, bags, sundry items, laundries that wash the garments, etc, etc, etc.