Shell, BASF Offer Millions In Class Action Suit

SAO PAULO (AP) -- Brazil's top labor court says Shell Brasil SA and BASF SA have offered more than $20 million to settle a class-action lawsuit with former workers allegedly contaminated at a pesticide plant in the state of Sao Paulo.

The court says on its website Friday that the two companies have offered to provide 884 workers with lifelong health plans with a "global value" of 52 million reals ($26 million).

The court says representatives of the two companies and workers will meet again at the end of a month to discuss the proposal.

The plant was first owned by Shell and later by BASF.

Shell spokesman Glauco Paiva confirmed the offer of a lifelong health plan but said "for now we prefer not to mention any numbers." BASF also confirmed the offer.