Dunlop layoff ups poll heat

The sudden closing of the Dunlop factory at Sahagunj has triggered political upsurge in the state as both the ruling party and the Opposition have indulged into the blame game Significantly.

The sudden closing of the Dunlop factory at Sahagunj has triggered political upsurge in the state as both the ruling party and the Opposition have indulged into the blame game Significantly,the state government today described the lay off notice issued by Dunlop management at Sahagunj facility of the company in Hooghly as unacceptable and arbitary. We were not informed by the Dunlop management about the laying off notice. It is illegal and we have called the management and the unions for a meeting to resolve the issue, said Anadi Sahoo,state Labour minister.

The company has to re-open and if the management refuses to withdraw the notice,we will take them to the tribunal and then the court will decide, said Sahoo.

The minister further said the party cannot compensate the laid off employees in view of the election process. I have asked the additional Labour commissioner to prepare a detailed report in the matter, added Sahoo.

Meanwhile,Anil Basu,CPM district committee secretary,said: Pawan Ruia (company chairman),who has nowadays become closer to Mamata Banerjee,has served an illegal notice. Ruia will withdraw the notice after Banerjee asks him to do so. It is a staged drama to demean the Left Front and part of the TMC election strategy to capture votes in Hooghly.

Meanwhile,Tapan Dasgupta,Trinamool district chief,said, It is a conspiracy hatched by CPM with Ruia to gain political advantage before the polls. The notice was issued on April 2 citing financial constraints. During the lay off period,950 workers will be getting dearness allowances and half of the basic wages. According to trade union sources,the notice was issued a week before the existing wage pact is up for renewal. The unions also had a meeting with the district administration this afternoon.

Bidyut Raut,convenor of Dunlop Nagarik Manca,said Ruia has sold all the machines and demolished some parts of the labour quarters.

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