Normalcy returns to Nokia India's plant

Top Stories

»	49% Indian startups now from tier 2, 3 cities: Jitendra Singh
»	'India ranks 3rd in global startup ecosystem & number of unicorns'
»	Tripura exported over 9K tonnes of pineapples in 2 years
»	CPI inflation eases to 6.71% in July, IIP falls to 12.3%
»	Rupee depreciates 12 paise to close at 79.64 against US dollar

SME Times News Bureau | 23 Jan, 2010
Production at Nokia India's plant near Chennai resumed as usual Saturday after the four day worker's strike was called off Friday night.

"Workers have reported to duty this (Saturday) morning. The company assured us during the conciliation process that suspended workers would be taken back," Nokia India Employees Progressive Union (NIEPU) joint general secretary P. Suresh told IANS.

The worker's union is affiliated to Labour Progressive Front (LPF), the labour wing of ruling DMK. The strike began Tuesday over the transfer of an employee.

Peace was brokered Friday between the NIEPU and the Nokia India management at the Joint Labour Commissioner's office in Chennai after a long meeting.

"As per the understanding arrived after the meeting, the suspension orders for 23 workers will be revoked when they report to duty Saturday," LPF general secretary M. Shanmugam told IANS.

"Decision on the balance 40 workers under suspension will be taken on Jan 29 at the labour commissioner's office," he added.

In its statement issued Friday, Nokia India had said: "The issue has been resolved through mutual dialogue and to the satisfaction of all parties involved. However, the suspension pending inquiry notice to some employees who are reported to have committed acts of serious misconduct still remains and will be concluded through disciplinary proceedings."

According to workers, nine out of 12 office bearers of NIEPU are under suspension.

The company has around 3,700 permanent workers, around 2,000 trainees and 1,000 contract workers.

According to union officials, nearly 70 percent of the total workforce are women.

One of the largest multi-national companies in the country, Nokia India's plant near Chennai can churn out around 500,000 mobile phones a day and has the highest productivity among all Nokia plants across the world.