High drama prevailed at the Foxconn India factory at Sriperumbudur on Tuesday as over 600 workers, including 70 women, were taken into custody by the police when they tried to gatecrash into the factory even as the company was firm on its decision to suspend production, citing lack of orders.
It is believed that Foxconn India even refused to comply with the assistant labour commissioner’s order to respect the Industrial Disputes Act and allow workers to assemble inside the factory. In fact, the company had suspended its operations two days in advance (December 22) against its original plan to shut from December 24.
Those arrested included CITU-backed workers’ union president Muthukumar as well as a local MLA A Soundararajan, who is spearheading the cause of workers’ union.
Earlier, a tripartite meeting convened among the workers’ union, management officials and assistant labour commissioner of the state government, failed to arrive at any concrete solution as Foxconn India officials were firm on their stand of production suspension. Foxconn
India even failed to depute senior officials at Tuesday’s meeting as was directed by the assistant labour commissioner on Monday.
While Foxconn India was offered to discuss only a VRS/severance package, the workers’ union sought continuation of their jobs.