Samsung and Ypê sponsored tribunal congress while facing cases before the court

Companies facing labor lawsuits before Brazil's 15th Regional Labor Court sponsored the tribunal's annual congress, where their brands appeared before judges, prosecutors and senior labor officials. Samsung, Ypê and Royal Palm Plaza held the event's highest, or diamond, sponsorship category.

A survey by Estadão's column found three ongoing labor cases against Ypê at the court, two against Royal Palm Plaza and one against Samsung. The confidential lawsuits include requests for overtime recognition and severance payments from former employees.

The TRT-15 said the sponsorships did not “interfere with the impartiality” of the judiciary. Ypê said it financed the event to “expand dialogue and follow discussions related to labor relations.” Neither the court nor the company detailed the sponsorship arrangements or whether magistrates received gifts. Samsung and Royal Palm Plaza did not respond to requests for comment.

“

interfere with the impartiality

Ypê said before the conference that it placed its logo on the auditorium chairs and operated a stand for the 1,200 participants. The gathering included ministers from the Superior Labor Court, appellate judges, prosecutors and professors. Held in Campinas on Aug. 20 and 21, the congress marked the TRT-15's 40th anniversary and featured lectures by the Superior Labor Court's president and two other ministers.

The issue has particular weight because the TRT-15 handles labor cases across 95% of São Paulo state, covering 599 cities and 22 million residents. It is Brazil's second-busiest labor court by caseload, behind the court serving Greater São Paulo. Ypê, one of the event's main funders, was also previously convicted by the TRT-15 of electoral harassment during the 2022 presidential election, after the Labor Prosecutor's Office said it organized a livestream urging employees to vote for Jair Bolsonaro.

“

expand dialogue and follow discussions related to labor relations