US cosmetics company Avon has exited Bolivia after 23 years in the market with help from FERRERE (Bolivia).

Avon formally ceased operations in Bolivia on 31 July as part of a wider US$400 million restructuring programme.

FERRERE helped Avon terminate the contracts of 150 employees and some 350 associates without retaliatory legal action.

Cristian Bustos, who led the team at FERRERE, says the case involved separate negotiations with employees and associates and was complicated by the fact that the company had yet to liquidate. He says this raised the prospect of workers claiming unfair dismissal and of associates alleging formal rather than informal employment rights. However, he says both groups were assuaged after concerted negotiations.

The firm is also helping the company with ongoing tax and labour issues tied to its corporate liquidation in Bolivia.

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