A week after Foxconn announcing suspension of operations at its Sriperumbudur plant near here, hundreds of agitated workers on Monday protested in front of the plant.
As tension started to grow at the Nokia SEZ, which houses the Foxconn’s manufacturing unit, police intervened and tried to make peace between the protesting workers, led by unions, and the management. Since both parties were firm in their stance, the issue was taken before the Assistant Commissioner of Labour, Sriperumbudur.
Despite marathon discussions, the deadlock continued with the management and the unions sticking to their respective stance.
The Assistant Commissioner of Labour has invited a top official of Foxconn and the unions for further talks on Tuesday.
Foxconn has put up a notice saying due to dwindling orders the company is not in a position to provide regular work to their employees. In the last eight months, according to the notice, the company gave holiday with full salary, and also provided training classes in various areas.
Since March, the company could not provide regular work for around 100 workers. This number increased to 850 workers, however, salary was paid to them, the notice says.
“The management held talks with three unions for five times. A tripartite meeting in front of the Assistant Labour Commissioner, Sriperumbudur, was held on December 12 and 18. The next round of talks is scheduled on December 26. A voluntary retirement scheme or severance package will be decided during the meeting, and to be announced to workers,” states the notice.
“This is indirect way for closure of the plant. We would not allow this to happen. If tomorrow’s talks remain inconclusive, we would barge into the factory. I am ready to face arrest. This should be a lesson to all companies looking to close their plant,” A Soundararajan, State General Secretary of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions, said, post the meeting with the Labour Commissioner. Future of 1,700 workers look uncertain.
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