Correios Strike 2025: Postal Disruptions Ripple Across Brazil

The suspended operations of Brazil’s national postal service, Correios, amid the 2025 nationwide strike have triggered widespread delays and logistical chaos, severing vital communication and supply chains across major urban and remote regions. With tens of thousands of delivery personnel on unpaid leave, mail—from government documents to e-commerce packages—has been drastically slowed or halted, exposing deep structural vulnerabilities in a system central to Brazil’s daily functioning. As workers continue negotiations with federal authorities, millions depend daily on disrupted services that once formed the backbone of national connectivity.

## The Striking Workforce and the Scale of Disruption The current strike, led by Correios’ most powerful labor union, affects more than 80% of postal operations across Brazil’s 26 states and over 5,000 municipalities. Port authorities and post offices report near-total paralysis in sorting, dispatch, and last-mile delivery. According to industry analysis, approximately 95% of private and public postal shipments remain delayed or unbilled during peak strike weeks.

Key disruptions include: - Postal mail and certified mail services delayed by 5 to 14 days, triggering backlogs at regional hubs. - E-commerce deliveries—especially time-sensitive parcels—delayed beyond customer expectations, straining businesses reliant on same-day transit. - Government correspondence, including tax documents and social benefit notifications, facing critical delays.

- Rural and isolated areas, where Correios is often the sole delivery option, see near-complete halt in services, increasing vulnerability for communities cut off from essential supplies. “The strike has turned a routine service into a crisis,” said João Mendes, a logistics analyst at São Paulo-based consulting firm TransLog. “Correios isn’t just about sending letters—it’s the artery for commerce, public administration, and personal connection.” ## Root Causes: Wages, Tenure, and Structural Neglect Behind the 2025 strike lies a convergence of long-standing grievances.

Over a decade of stagnant wage growth—adjusted for inflation—has eroded staff morale, while rigid tenure protections limit flexibility in roster management during industrial action. Correios workers, many making below national minimum wage after years of costs passed to salaries, argue today’s demands are finally necessary. Persisting underfunding has left infrastructure crumbling and technology aging.

A 2024 audit revealed that 40% of sorting centers lack automated tracking systems, forcing manual processing that grinds to a halt during staff shortages. Union leaders cite failed negotiations in 2023 and 2024, where modest concessions were offered but core needs—for fair pay, modern equipment, and predictable work hours—remained unmet. “I’ve delivered mail for 18 years,” said Clara Ribeiro, a courier based in Belo Horizonte.

“When I see colleagues without paychecks but still expected to report, I know full well the system’s breaking. Correios deserves investment, not just words.” ## Economic and Social Ripple Effects Across Brazil The postal strike is not confined to isolated delays; its impact burrows deep into Brazil’s economic fabric and daily life. Small businesses, particularly e-commerce sellers, report order cancellations and rising delivery costs, with some shifting entirely to private logistics partners—or risking complete order failure.

Social services face acute strain: - Government benefit recipients delayed crucial pension and welfare mails, triggering appeals from regional