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Santa Fe Opens 2026 With 3,936 Worker Suspensions Concentrated in Metalworking

Officials attribute the pressure to weak demand, import competition and an overvalued peso, with provincial public works serving as the main buffer.

Overview

  • Provincial data show 44 companies with active suspensions, roughly 60% in metalworking using Article 223 agreements to reduce hours and pay to avoid layoffs.
  • The suspensions are clustered in the center‑south industrial belt, with only seven affected firms in the center‑north of the province.
  • The total is far below the mid‑2024 peak of more than 11,000 but has edged up from roughly 3,400 recorded in November 2025.
  • Companies cite falling domestic demand, increased imports and currency misalignment as the primary drivers, while officials say a broad rebound is not evident.
  • The province highlights expanded public works and tripartite labor tables as mitigation, as firm‑level cases continue such as Vassalli’s wage arrears and the Euro meat plant’s stoppage and occupation.