Colombia: Nestlé stops paying wages after the severe earthquakes

"... The employees of two Nestlé factories in Colombia received mail from Nestlé almost a month after the severe earthquake. In the letter, which is available to work, the food company informs the employees that they are suspended until the end of September due to loss of production. Nestlé cites the damage caused by the earthquake on August 10th as the reason and claims force majeure. The Colombian labor law allows the suspension of the employment contract in such a case. The workers in the factories in Bugalagrande and Dosquebradas, who were damaged by the earthquake, will therefore no longer receive any wages for the time being…”Article by Iwan Schauwecker from September 23, 2026 in the work newspaper of Unia and more from it and this:

• SINALTRAINAL hunger strike in front of the Nestlé factory in Bugalagrande
  “As Nestlé suspends employment contracts citing the consequences of an earthquake, workers at the factory in Bugalagrande, Valle del Cauca, are staging a hunger strike in front of the Swiss multinational's premises. The protest is led by members of the National Union of Agri-Food Workers (SINALTRAINAL), who denounce years of labor rights violations and disregard for their rights.
  The conflict has existed since April 2024, when the union presented a list of demands to renegotiate the collective agreement. According to the organization, Nestlé has refused to negotiate and the Labor Ministry has dropped several of its complaints. Demands include respect for rights related to housing, social security and guarantees for trade union activities…”Contribution by Stephan Moore from November 8, 2026 at the Latin America news pool 
• Further out of theArticle by Iwan Schauwecker from September 23, 2026 in the work newspaper of Unia :"... As a "solidarity aid", the company wants to pay each employee the equivalent of a little more than 150 francs for the month of September. However, this does not even correspond to a third of the regular wage payments, writes the Sinaltrainal union. (...) Sinaltrainal is now using legal means to defend itself against Nestlé's actions. In a statement, the union writes of a "Golpe al corazón obrero" - a blow to the worker's heart. It also appeals to shop owners, farmers and local suppliers The communities where the two Nestlé factories are located would be severely affected by the company's decision (...) The mass suspension of employment contracts also coincides with the historical demand for more labor rights and job security. Nestlé is trying to unsettle employees by threatening the expiry of their employment contracts..."

See also:

• See the dossier on the earthquake:The earthquake in Colombia on August 10, 2026 hits the new right-wing government, which is slowing down earthquake relief and politically selecting internationally
• Regarding Nestlé in Colombia see the dossier:Colombia is the deadliest country for workers and unionistsand from 2014:Nestlé precedent: criminal complaint for the murder of Colombian trade unionist Luciano Romero from Sinaltrainaland the dossier from 2013Nestlé workers in Colombia on hunger strike
• Regarding Sinaltrainal, see the dossier of many of themColombian nutrition union Sinaltrainal continues its fight against Coca Cola

The photo shows Nestlé workers in Colombia on hunger strike in 2013

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