TMCnet News
Nokia hangs up on TN manufacturing line [India Business] [Times of India](Times of India Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) CHENNAI: It started with Nokia 1100 in 2006 and ended with the Nokia Citrine 107 on Thursday when the mobile phone maker officially shut down its Sriperumbudur plant on the outskirts of Chennai with the last shift shipping out the last mobile phone bearing a 'Made in India' tag. The company had already announced the suspension of production from November 1. Since the last batch of orders was completed on Thursday, Nokia announced 'no-production days' from Friday until October 31. Union sources said, "We have made a request that the plant be kept open for workers till some settlement is arrived at. On Friday, there will be no production, but workers would come in to receive Diwali bonus (though it is credited directly to the bank)." G Haridas, 25, an operator at the plant, said, "They are almost bringing down the shutters. Our lives are falling apart." Nokia agreed to a 20% Diwali bonus to all its employees, like last year. "Each employee will get around Rs 8,400 as bonus," union sources said. The factory, the assets of which were frozen by the tax authorities, will automatically move to the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) as Nokia had only an operating licence after the Kancheepuram tahsildar attached it on orders from CBDT due to non-payment of taxes. All but 851 employees continue on the rolls of Nokia. A key meeting with the Tamil Nadu assistant commissioner of labour is scheduled on October 20 to decide on separation formalities, including the settlement that must be paid to the 851 employees. Sources said Nokia is willing to pay full salaries to workmen post November 1 too, with the hope of an "amicable settlement with minimum impact". Nokia's Sriperumbudur plant started with Nokia 1100 (left) in 2006 and ended with the Nokia 107 on Thursday with the last shift shipping out the final phone bearing a 'Made in India' tag. (c) 2014 Bennett, Coleman & Company Limited |