Foxconn workers file petition in Madras HC on closure

FIH India Pvt Ltd, earlier known as Foxconn, plans to move the machinery from its shut factory near here. This was alleged by its former workers in an affidavit filed at the high court here, asking that the state government deny permission to close the unit.

The petition, a copy of which is available with Business Standard, was filed by five workmen. They allege the company was 'closed' on February 10, without following any of the mandatory procedures under the Industrial Disputes Act.

And, that the company plans to shift all machinery from its Irrunkattukottai factory at Sriperumpudur, 40 km from here, to Sri City, Tada, in Andhra Pradesh, and other places. They have asked for a direction to the government not to allow any removal or alienation of any machinery from the factory. And for denying any permission to close FIH India. The court has posted the matter for next week.

FIH India stopped operations at its factory, at the Nokia Sriperumbudur Special Economic Zone, in December last year. The key customer was Nokia, which suspended all operations at its Sriperumbudur facility from November. And, FIH stated that running the factory would not be viable, with its key customer deciding to stop production.

Nokia's plant employed around 8,000 workers directly and another 21,000 indirectly. Its plant was shut after a tax dispute that prevented its transfer to Microsoft, which bought the Finnish company's handset business early this year.