Labour strike hits production at Nokia's Chennai plant

Production at Nokia’s manufacturing facility in Sriperumbudur, near Chennai, was hit on Friday following a labour strike which demanded an increase in wages. The strike was called off after 10 hours following the labour department’s intervention. According to sources, the labour commissioner in Chennai asked the management and workers to resolve the issue before August 24, failing which the department would have to intervene.

According to employees working in the factory, the strike was called from the second shift on Friday after they received the news of a revised package from the management, which “was not acceptable”.

They further added, the management offered Rs 1,400 for an employee who has a working experience of four years while Rs 200 a month was offered to trainees. “This would make no difference to us,” The management did not revise the salary stating recession as the reason last year, one of the employees noted.

All the 8,000 employees participated in the 10-hour-long strike. Almost three lakh instruments were not manufactured because of the halt in production. Meanwhile, company’s spokesperson denied the number, saying only a small group of people participated in the strike.

Management expressed its willingness to formally discuss the issue with the employees concerned during the day’s meeting, chaired by the labour department. The employees presented a charter of their demands to the management. However, sources who attended the meeting informed if the management and workers would not compromise before August 24, the labour department would intervene.

Meanwhile, normal operations have been restored and factory is working on schedule.

Nokia internally announced salary increases as part of its salary review process for its operator employees at the Chennai factory. This was communicated in a face to face meeting today. However, some of the employees were dissatisfied resulting in disruption of work. Normal operations were restored shortly thereafter and the factory is working on schedule. We have open communication channels with employees and are engaged with them through elected employee representatives. We are committed to our people and abide by all rules and regulations and remain the best in class employer.