Thousands of Maquiladora Workers in Matamoros and Ciudad Juarez Lose Jobs
Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, January 29, 2026 – More than 3,000 workers from six maquiladoras in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, and Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, have been left jobless following the bankruptcy declaration of the U.S. automotive parts supplier, First Brands Group. The layoffs have triggered protests, with workers demanding their rightful severance pay.
Workers Stage Protests in Freezing Temperatures
Since Monday, affected workers have maintained vigils and protests at the factory gates. In Ciudad Juarez, despite temperatures dropping to -3 degrees Celsius, employees of the Hopkins maquiladora, a subsidiary of First Brands, are holding a sit-in. They have vowed to prevent any machinery or goods from being removed from the plant, ensuring they have collateral for their demands.
One worker stated, “In case of any lawsuit or anything, we have that as a guarantee because we are all fighting for our rights.”
In Ciudad Juarez alone, over 2,000 workers from five maquiladoras are affected by the closures. They report being informed by a lawyer that the company has filed for bankruptcy. Pedro González Hernández, another maquiladora worker, expressed concern, “Let’s see if they give us the savings fund that one has. No, there was no severance or anything.”
First Brands Group’s Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
The First Brands Group corporate entity initiated its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the United States last September. The National Council of the Maquiladora Industry (Index) in Ciudad Juarez has clarified that this bankruptcy is unrelated to tariffs imposed by former President Trump.
María Teresa Delgado Zárate, National Advisor for Index in Ciudad Juarez, commented, “What we must take into account is that this is a purely administrative situation of this corporation.”
Matamoros Also Affected
In Matamoros, Tamaulipas, approximately 1,400 workers from the Tridonex subsidiary have also lost their jobs. Similar to Ciudad Juarez, these workers are maintaining protests to demand their labor rights.
Enrique Salinas Garza, Secretary of Economic Development of Matamoros, offered a perspective on the situation: “It is not a definitive bankruptcy; it is simply reorganizing its finances to be able to get out of financial problems. This company is a very large company, it encompasses 25 subsidiary companies, all of automotive parts.”
The affected workers continue their struggle for fair treatment and severance pay, highlighting the significant impact of corporate bankruptcies on local economies and livelihoods.
