KOCHI: Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish has convened a meeting of trade unions leaders and representatives of Hankook Latex Private Limited at the Rubber Park, Irapuram, with a view to settling a labour dispute that has brought construction work at the factory site to a halt.

The meeting has been convened ahead of a negotiation slated for October 27 by the Regional Joint Labour Commissioner after talks between the Korean company and labour union leaders ended in a stalemate on Wednesday. No consensus emerged on the key issue of the use of ready-mixed concrete for construction work.

The Collector met representatives of the Korean firm late on Wednesday evening and assured them that everything would be done to see that work resumed immediately.

Hankook representatives said the labour unions were opposed to the use of ready-mix concrete although the union leaders apparently agreed in principle to the use of ready-mixed concrete at Wednesday's talks before the Regional Joint Labour Commissioner.

Hankook Latex is a fully owned subsidiary of Hankook Latex of Korea that is setting up an export-oriented unit for condoms and finger cots. The unit is being set up at an investment of Rs.20 crore. Another Rs.20 crore is expected to be invested in an automobile spare parts unit.

A communication from the firm said construction workers struck work since Monday demanding that ready-mix concrete should not be used in the construction of the factory building that was currently on. About 20 per cent of the work was completed.

The release said the company spent Rs.6 crore so far in building the factory and that once fully commissioned, the unit would provide employment to about 2,000 people directly and indirectly.

It said the company had decided to come to Kerala with an assurance from the Government of Kerala that there would be a hassle-free working atmosphere.

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