HUL workers to protest against closure of unit

A section of employees of Hindustan Unilever (HUL) has organised a protest rally tomorrow at the venue of the company's annual general meeting against the closure of a factory unit in the city and its failure to work out an amicable settlement with the workers.

In a statement here today, Hindustan Lever Employees' Union said the company transferred "Bombay Factory", a local unit employing about 800 workers, to its subsidiary in 2005 and closed the facility within five months from the transfer.

The union challenged the decision of the company to transfer the unit to the subsidiary in the court where the case is pending.

There have been about 75 dates/adjournments in the courts so far. The employees have been without wages all these years, the union press note said.

The Maharashtra government has allowed the closure which has also been contested by the union, the statement said.

The company restarted negotiations in November 2007 but there has not been any progress so far, the union said.