Preconcurso and ERE affect Cobendai network after accusations for undelivered vehicles

Grupo Cobendai, which faces accusations of fraud from customers and late payments to employees, announced this Wednesday (29) that it has entered into pre-judicial recovery. The measure was announced informally to workers in the dealership network. The company also anticipates the application of an Expediente of Regulação of Emprego (ERE), which could result in mass layoffs across all its units.

Comunicação informal pre-competition for employees

The management of Grupo Cobendai informed employees of its dealers about the pre-recovery situation from creditors. Este announcement, however, was made informally, through in-person visits to the facilities. The warning about the future ERE was also conveyed verbally.

Funcionários interviewed by the reporter, who preferred to remain anonymous, reported that the communication took place “in person”. The person responsible for Recursos Humanos, one of the managers and the company’s lawyer were present at the centers. However, at the time of publication, there has been no formal written notification to staff. Workers expressed concern about the lack of official documentation. One of them stated that “they have to do everything in writing”.

Crise for undelivered cars and fraud charges

The decision to enter into judicial pre-recovery comes in the midst of a serious crisis. The company is accused of not delivering vehicles that have already been paid for by buyers. Mais of one hundred affected people classify Cobendai’s actions as “estafa”, a Spanish term for fraud or scam.

The allegations began to emerge publicly in March, when dozens of customers came together to report the situation. Reports indicate that the delivery failure mainly affects operations linked to Hyundai. Contudo, the problems also extend to other brands represented by the group.

• Principais brands affected by the complaints:

* Hyundai
* MG
* Suzuki

Funcionários unpaid and workshops out of stock

Cobendai’s internal situation is equally critical. Parte’s significant staff accrues two months of back pay. Muitos workers continue to perform their duties even without receiving remuneration. Essa actually generates a climate of widespread insecurity among employees.

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Além of salaries, the work infrastructure is also compromised. Activity in the group’s workshops was severely affected by the lack of basic supplies. Há reports that the units do not even have oil to carry out the services. Essa lack of inputs prevents the normal execution of tasks, impacting the quality and volume of work.

Desafios for negotiating future layoffs

The announcement of a possible ERE (Expediente of Regulación of Empleo) creates uncertainty about how negotiations with workers will be conducted. According to employees, only one company within the Cobendai group, Motorcar, has a formally constituted workers’ committee. Esta situation complicates the collective bargaining process.

Labor legislation provides that, in order to carry out an ERE, it is essential that there is dialogue with employee representatives. The absence of committees in other units of the group can create obstacles. “If you are going to do an ERE, you have to negotiate with the workers; you need the electoral board,” explained an employee, highlighting the need for legal representation for the process. Pre-recovery formalization must precede workforce adjustment discussions.

Falta of the company’s response to the crisis

The report attempted to contact representatives of Grupo Cobendai to obtain a position on the fraud accusations, the pre-judicial recovery situation and plans for the ERE. However, at the time of publishing this news, there has been no response. The company remained silent in the face of questions.

The lack of official and transparent communication from Cobendai worsens uncertainty for customers and employees. The expectation is that, with the formalization of the creditor pre-recovery process, more details about the company’s future and the measures to be taken will be disclosed.