Business News Americas reported that Brazil's copper and nonferrous metals industry suffered 1,785 layoffs during this year's H1.

According to a joint statement by local metals associations Sindicel and ABC, 1,156 dismissals took place in the copper, aluminum cable and wire segment while jobless claims in the semi finished product market amounted to 629.

Mr Sérgio Aredes president of Sindicel said that "Layoffs were a reflection of the global economic crisis, which caused a 15% decrease in output of copper products in the period."

Mr Aredes said that despite the negative numbers in the past, there are optimistic perspectives for the sector in coming months. He said that "We are already seeing a gradual recovery of activity in the Brazilian market."

(Sourced from Business News Americas)