US firm CorroHealth closure: Kochi employees remain locked out of office as uncertainty looms
Uncertainty continued to loom over the fate of hundreds of employees at the Kochi office of the US-based technology company CorroHealth Infotech Private Limited on
Uncertainty continued to loom over the fate of hundreds of employees at the Kochi office of the US-based technology company CorroHealth Infotech Private Limited on Wednesday as they remained locked out of their workplace, even as the company appears firm in its decision to shut down its two centres in Kerala, the other being in Kozhikode. Labour department officials recorded the attendance of employees who turned up at the office on the day. This arrangement will continue until Friday, when Labour Minister Bindhu Krishna is expected to hold a conciliatory meeting with senior company officials.
A meeting held on Monday, attended by MLA Uma Thomas, Labour Commissioner Safna Nazarudeen, representatives of employees, trade unions, and the firm’s legal counsel, had directed the company to allow terminated employees access to the Kochi office until the conciliatory talks. The directive, conveyed through the company’s local legal advisor, was ignored, as employees were greeted by locked premises on Tuesday. Speaking to the media, Ms. Krishna said the government had agreed to meet company officials “without prejudice,” despite the unauthorised closure in violation of labour laws. “We are exploring ways to retain the company here while protecting jobs.
If this indifference continues, the government will be compelled to resort to legal measures,” she said. Ernakulam District Labour Officer Minoy James added: “Company officials are yet to directly engage with us, though our decisions have been conveyed through their local legal advisor. A notice has been served for Friday’s meeting at the district collectorate, and we are working to ensure their participation.” AIYF protest Earlier in the day, the All India Youth Federation (AIYF) staged a protest march to the company premises, which was halted by the police. The organisation pledged solidarity with the affected employees and warned of intensified agitation against “corporate exploitation.” Around 600 employees in Kochi and about 200 in Kozhikode were laid off last Friday with little notice.
They were issued “separation and full and final settlement” letters. Despite being asked to maintain status quo until Monday’s conciliatory meeting, the medical coding firm instead credited three months’ salary — purportedly a severance package — into the accounts of affected employees late that night.
The BriefWire