Leading Individuals

Rising Stars

Labour and employment in Paraguay

Ferrere

Ferrere‘s labour and employment team gives specialised advice to international clients looking to establish or manage local operations in Paraguay, while also advising clients on day-to-day labour and social security matters. The practice is very strong in litigation, and has recently handled several complex harassment cases. The firm’s internal compliance practice continues to establish itself, advising clients on the misuse of work tools, compliance with labour obligations and gross misconduct cases. Marysol Estigarribia leads the team and is praised for her ‘team empowerment and management capacity in every aspect’. Senior associate Antonella Llamas participates in matters related to human resources and José Trinidad specialises in labour litigation. At the associate level, Matias Chaves attracts significant praise from clients.

Practice head(s):

Marysol Estigarribia


Testimonials

Ferrere has been a market benchmark for several years, due to its ability to respond quickly to requirements, the level of precision of its proposals and consultancies, its high technical capacity, its ability to empathise with internal issues to project solutions, and the permanent availability of part of the entire team. The security that they transmit with their orientations is highly valued by us as clients.

The speed, practicality, availability of each one of the Ferrere professionals, the technical solvency, the security and accompaniment that they transmit, all of them have the same line and are absolutely for their clients. Marysol Estigarribia as head; her leadership, empowerment of the team and management capacity in every way are noticeable.

We recommend Marysol Estigarribia and José Trinidad.

We are totally happy with the service from Ferrere. They are top notch professionals and provide the best guidance available in Paraguay.

I have worked with Matias Chaves and Marysol Estigarribia. They both are very professional and able to provide great legal advice. Matias is very hands on and available to assist. We have been working with the firm on labour and employment matters in Paraguay, and we are very happy with the level of advice provided. Advice is clear and straight to the point.

Fully qualified to provide quick responses to needs. Versus other firms, I would mention accessibility in communication. There really is a feeling of working with allies who are always looking out for the best interests of the company.

Immediate assistance is provided in response to needs. Practical and fast solutions and constant monitoring are provided by Marysol Estigarribia and Antonella Llamas.

Key clients

Impala Terminals


Puma Energy


Avianca


Interbarge


Ball Corporation


Uber


Boehringer


Leoni Wiring Systems


Vale


Tigo


Claro


Cargill


Mosaic Fertilizantes Paraguay


Electropar


Ericsson


Nestlé Business Services


Atento


Cervepar


Thyssenkrupp


Roche


AC Importaciones


Smart Fit


Air Liquide


Uchiyama Sudamérica


Editorial de Negocios


Robert Bosch


Assist Card Paraguay


Bimbo


Global Upside


DSM Nutritional Products


Sallustro


Shopping del Sol


Aseguradora Tajy


Pharma Internacional


Wisdom


Vanguardia


Sita


3M


Fapasa


Mediterranean Shipping Company


DVA Group


Logicalis


Nokia


Premium Containers


Viagen


Yguazu Cementos


FLS Forestry


Work highlights


  • Advised Globalization Partners on setting up its business in Paraguay and on the implementation of labour documents and policies.
  • Advising DVA Group on restructuring its personnel and operations in Paraguay, which includes the transfer of employees from Manpower to DVA Group’s own legal entity.
  • Advised Transbarge Navegacion on an audit carried out by the Ministry of Labour, which resulted in no fines imposed.

Irún & Villamayor

Irún & Villamayor is a labour and employment boutique with over 20 years’ experience providing advice on a full range of matters within the practice area. The team has particular expertise in both preventative measures and litigation, and provides up-to-date advice on labour legislation. The firm advises national and international clients from a range of industries, such as shipping, agriculture and construction. The main contacts are founding partners Joaquín Irún Grau and Félix Villamayor.

Work highlights


Vouga Abogados

Vouga Abogados‘ labour and employment practice consists of a ‘solid team of expert lawyers‘. The team advises both national and international clients on labour compliance, audits and labour and social security regulations. The firm has noted an increase in work related to labour permits, licenses and authorisations. The group also acts on industrial health and safety matters. The 'excellent' Perla Alderete, a highly experienced labour lawyer, leads the team and 'is very up to date on current labour issues'. Mirtha dos Santos oversees the team’s high-profile litigation matters, with support from associate Marcela dos Santos, who plays a key role in handling labour litigation cases. Associate Walter Vera comes with client recommendation, an active team member who is involved in the majority of the team’s key transactions.

Practice head(s):

Perla Alderete


Testimonials

Vouga has a top-level team, which is very professional and has a lot of experience.

The firm is committed to keeping its clients adequately informed. It has implemented a newsletter that is continually providing general information of interest. In addition, its clientele is made up of many multinationals, which allows it to have a broad level of expertise for our needs.’

Regarding the partners, their speed of response in taking charge of the affairs of our office is something quite valuable. In the case of Vouga, we have had permanent and prompt support from its founding and main partners.

In their consultancy on labour, Vouga has been very successful.’

Perla Alderete handles labour issues with great solvency. She is very up to date on current labour issues. Walter Vera also handles labour issues very well.

Perla Alderete is excellent. As long as she is present, the service is reliable and very professional. As a client, one feels confident in the knowledge of these lawyers.

The team has specialised people, and they work very efficiently as a team.

I think their efficiency and commitment stands out. Professionalism is evident when dealing with issues. I highlight the work of Perla Alderete.

Key clients

Paracel


Copetrol


Paraguay Energy Operaciones y Logistica


Unión Industrial Paraguaya


American Tower / Blue Transfer


Consorcio Expo Asociación Rural Del Paraguay / Unión Industrial Paraguaya


Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf


Agrichem Paraguay


GLT Casa de Bolsa


Colgate Palmolive De Paraguay


Probat / British American Tobacco


Eurofarma Laboratorios


Prosegur Paraguay


Paraguay Refrescos


Carozzi


Microsoft


Contiparaguay


Work highlights


  • Advising Paracel on all employment related matters, including the preparation of a legal matrix in labour matters, social security, safety and industrial hygiene.
  • Advised Europharma Laboratories on issues related to local labour regime, social security and hygiene at work.
  • Advised a client on matters related to rehiring of employees with special stability, social security coverage and other aspects related to the legislation in force, as well as on matters of special stability acquired during pregnancy.

Estudio Jurídico Gross Brown

The labour and employment team at Estudio Jurídico Gross Brown advises employees, as well as major national and international corporations. With its knowledge of national and international labour regulations, the firm takes a preventative approach, but also has a strong labour litigation practice, representing clients at all levels. The team specialises in advice on employment wage policies, collective bargaining, safety and hygiene measures, and ethics and transparency policies for companies. The firm also offers advice on specialised areas, such as maternity and domestic work regimes, and is involved in the drafting of related bills. Pilar Callizo, a highly experienced labour lawyer, who is a point of reference in the practice area, leads the practice. Associate Miguel Díaz specialises in labour and employment law, advising companies on a full range of matters, from the negotiation of union conflicts, to complaints before the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and labour litigation.

Practice head(s):

Pilar Callizo


Key clients

Banco Itaú


Televisión Cerro Corá


CorAr Internacional


Archer Daniels Midland (ADM Paraguay)


Gonzalez Gimenez & CIA


Embassy of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay


Work highlights


Moreno Ruffinelli & Asociados

Moreno Ruffinelli & Asociados offers comprehensive labour advice to large national, international and multinational organisations, from industries such as technology, aviation and finance. The labour and employment team has experience handling sensitive matters, including employee termination. The firm has an in-depth knowledge of labour regulations, and regularly represents clients before the labour authorities. The practice is led by José Moreno Ruffinelli, and Maria Del Rocio Penayo Zarza is also a key contact, offering advice on a full range of labour matters, including complex cross-border cases. At the associate level, María Inés Segura specialises in labour and employment matters, and Jorge Enciso is an expert in collective bargaining and unions.

Practice head(s):

José Moreno Ruffinelli


Key clients

Frigomerc and Beef Paraguay


Manpower Paraguay


Agencia Financiera de Desarrollo (AFD)


Bancop


Philips del Paraguay


Bourbon Hospitalidad


Avianca


Logicalis Paraguay


Fecoprod


Caja de Jubilaciones y Pensiones de Itaipú Binacional


Richford


THN Paraguay


Work highlights


  • Acting for Manpower Paraguay on all aspects relating to employees, both in individual cases and in the contractual relationship between Manpower and its own clients.
  • Advising THN Paraguay on all aspects related to its personnel, including cases related to appointment of personnel, human resources policy, terminations, and licenses, among others.
  • Advising Bourbon Conmebol Convention Hotel in labour matters, including labour contracts, permits, terminations, social security, among others.

Olmedo Abogados

Olmedo Abogados’ labour and employment team advises clients on a range of matters, including restructurings, employment contracts and regulatory issues. The firm often works with clients on the drafting of internal regulations, and the practice also has an active labour litigation department. The team is co-led by Ana Valiente, who has 37 years experience in both advisory and litigation areas related to labour law. Alongside her, Susana Ramos is also an expert in labour law, and has extensive experience in labour litigation. Sadly, Maria Ines Galeano passed away in February 2023.

Practice head(s):

Ana Valiente; Susana Ramos


Key clients

Plan International Paraguay


Woden Paraguay


Caja de Jubilados del Personal de Itaipu Binancional (Cajubi)


American Bar Asociation


Work highlights


  • Advised Plan International on the adaption of its new labour internship system to local regulations.
  • Advised Woden Paraguay on the implementation of a new system, by which 120 employees were transferred from an service outsourcing system to dependent employees of the company.
  • Assisted Cajubi with an employment contract case.

Peroni Sosa Tellechea Burt & Narvaja

Peroni Sosa Tellechea Burt & Narvaja handles both contentious and non-contentious labour and social security matters. The firm offers day-to-day advice, as well as assisting clients with the labour aspects of mergers and takeovers. The labour practice frequently advises clients on labour relations, including union organisation, issues related to minimum wage and the drafting of internal regulations and collective contracts. Labour disputes are also an active area, clients from a range of sectors instructing the team, with a notable number of clients from the maritime transport industry. Ernesto Fiore leads the team, with almost 20 years’ experience handling a wide variety of labour matters, from collective bargaining, to claims related to workplace harassment, employment discrimination, and dismissals.

Practice head(s):

Ernesto Fiore


Testimonials

They demonstrate a complete knowledge of the labour and immigration legislation of the country, and have a very good approach to all requirements made. They support us with clear and simple advice to understand local regulations.

We appreciate their clarity and good disposition.

Key clients

Asociación Evangélica de Asambleas Bíblicas de Paraguay


Avanza Paraguay


British Embassy in Paraguay


Embajada de Argentina en Paraguay


Essentra Products


Fundacion Moises Bertone


Hidrovias do Brasil


Imperial Shipping Paraguay


Independencia Shipping Lines


Margarita – Hotel las Margaritas


Mercopar


Naviera Conosur


Obras Terminales y Servicios


Petra Emprendimientos


Philip Morris Paraguay


Santa Felicia – El Peruano


Terminal Occidental (Tosa)


Transporte Aereos Del Mercosur


UABL Paraguay


Vemarcorp


Work highlights


  • Assisted Atria with obtaining the suspension of labour agreements due to force majeure.
  • Representing Asociación Evangélica de Asambleas Bíblicas del Paraguay in a series of lawsuits filed by former employees of a school called Centro Educativo Nandejara for alleged non-payment of wages, worth more than $5m.
  • Assisted Tsuneishi with a due diligence in order to verify the company’s compliance with labour regulations.

BKM | Berkemeyer

BKM | Berkemeyer‘s labour and employment team handles a range of labour matters, including the drafting and coordinating of employment contracts and company regulations, assisting with human resources policies and coordinating international and temporary employment. The firm has successfully advised clients on the release of long-term employees, in most cases reaching extra judicial settlements. Sensitive labour matters, such as unfair dismissal disputes, sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace, are a further strength. The group also consists of emergency advisors, experienced negotiators and immigration experts, and has a specialised consultancy and litigation team. Associate Hugo Aponte, who has extensive experience in employment and local labour advice, including labour litigation, leads the team. Aponte also advises international companies on compliance with national labour laws. Associate Jorge Peralta regularly advises both local and international clients on sensitive employer transfers and has litigation experience, defending companies in cases of justified and unjustified dismissals. Mauricio Ozuna is an associate with extensive experience in the fields of labour law and social security, and specialises in judicial litigation.

Practice head(s):

Hugo Aponte


Testimonials

The work was outstanding.

We recommend Hugo Aponte and Mauricio Ozuna.

Very good people, billing is correct, with the appropriate technology and very good collaboration.

We appreciate the professionalism of the members of the team.

Key clients

Bayer


Timac Agro


TCL Organic


Recsa Paraguay


Casinos Paraguayos / Azar Internacional


Agatres


Fortaleza de Inmuebles


Corteva


Unilever


Pharma International


Omega Green (BSBIOS Indústria e Comércio de Biodiesel Sul Brasil)


Frigorífico Modelo Paraguay


Mango Payment


Almacenamiento y Distribución de Asfalto (Aldia)


Work highlights


  • Assisting Bayer with day-to-day advice on labour issues and implementation of labour policies.
  • Advising BSBIOS on labor, social security and hygiene matters, including the transfer of foreign employees to a local project with more than 1,000 employees.
  • Advising TCL Organic on labour law matters, such as final salary settlements for justified and unjustified dismissals, application of the local social security system, among others.