The leather and footwear production chain in Rio Grande do Sul, which directly employs more than 120,000 people in around 3,000 companies, was impacted by the floods that have hit the state since the beginning of May. The entities that represent the companies, the Brazilian Association of Footwear Industries (Abicalçados), the Brazilian Association of Component Companies for Leather, Footwear and Artifacts (Assintecal) and the Brazilian Tanning Industry Center (CICB), released a joint survey that points out that more than 7,200 workers in establishments in the sector were directly affected by the catastrophe. Another important fact from the survey is that among the main difficulties faced by companies is the unavailability of labor, followed by logistical problems due to affected roads and airports.
It was with the aim of recovering the footwear production ecosystem in Rio Grande do Sul that the entities representing the chain launched, on the 13th, the Movimento Próximos Passos RS. The objective is to rebuild the sector by helping those affected. On this occasion, a social fund was launched that will be entirely donated to charities in the affected cities: Association of Friends of Oktoberfest (Amifest de Igrejinha), Campo Bom Solidário, District LD2 of the International Association of Lions Clubs (Roca Sales, Muçum, Encantado, Arroio do Meio, Estrela, Lajeado and Taquari), Lions Clube de Rolante, Lions Clube de Parobé, Lions Clube de Três Coroas and Rotary Clube Oeste de Novo Hamburgo.
Resilience
According to the survey, 48% of companies in the sector were affected by the floods, with most of them expected to have production back to normal in May. “We had an important impact, but once again the resilience of the footwear production chain surprised us positively. More than 90% of the affected companies should have normalized production by the end of the month, thanks to the help of their own employees”, comments the executive president of Abicalçados, Haroldo Ferreira.
For the leather and footwear components sector based in Rio Grande do Sul, the situation is similar. “Some companies reported problems, mainly regarding the supply of inputs and due to their workers who were directly or indirectly affected. As soon as the waters recede, things tend to return to normal as soon as possible. There is no inability to supply, on the contrary, the affected factories in Rio Grande do Sul need to do business more than ever”, highlights the superintendent of Assintecal, Silvana Dilly.
For the executive president of the CICB, José Fernando Bello, in recent weeks the leather industry has experienced the same phenomenon that gained ground in Brazil in the face of the tragedy: the strength of solidarity. “Our sector is committed to supporting the families of tannery workers who lost their homes and belongings due to the floods in Rio Grande do Sul. The leather sector has engaged with Movimento Próximos Passos RS and is contributing to reestablishing living conditions for thousands of affected people”, highlights Bello.