KOCHI: The LDF Government’s efforts to attract big investment to the state received a major jolt with one of the world’s largest value-added spice producer Synthite Industries announcing a temporary shutdown of its plant on Tuesday after protesting CITU-backed trade union workers disrupted functioning of its factory at Kadayiruppu near Kolencherry for the second day running.
The protest by workers belonging to the CITU-backed Synthite Industries Employees’ Union (SIEU) had turned violent on Monday and they had damaged the company’s property including its ambulance. They stopped other workers from entering the plant on both Monday and Tuesday. Synthite Industries MD Viju Jacob told Express the company decided to close down operations as the police were unwilling to offer protection to employees who come to work. “The miscreants are causing damage to industry infrastructure and manhandling employees. Until the State Labour Commissioner gives out a strong direction in resolving the issue, our operations will remain suspended,” said Viju.
The shutdown comes despite the conciliatory talks convened by the Labour Commissioner in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday. The mediatory talks by the District Collector on Monday failed to bear fruit as the CITU-backed union decided not to back down from the protests until the company management withdraws the decision to transfer out the 18 staffers.
Synthite Employees’ Welfare Association (SEWA) Secretary Jayan R said more than 500 employee families will lose their livelihood option if the plant remains shut. “Even after the District Collector’s order to ensure protection to employees, the police are remaining mute spectators to the blockade and violence unleashed on the employees,” said Jayan. SEWA, which is not affiliated to any political party, represents 80 per cent of the 500 workers at the Synthite’s Kadayiruppu unit.SIEU (CITU) president K S Arunkumar said they were awaiting the conciliatory talks called on Wednesday. However, he added the blockade will continue if management refuses to cancel the decision to transfer the 18 staffers.