CHENNAI: Protesting handset maker Nokia's decision to suspend production from November 1, DMK's labour wing will stage a demonstration at Sriperumbudur on October 17, party chief M Karunanidhi said today.
DMK's Labour Progressive Federation (LPF) will stage the demonstration under its chief M Shanmugam, Karunanidhi said in a letter to partymen.
He also wondered what steps the ruling AIADMK had taken in this matter, even as issue was being discussed for about two years and suggested that the government could take over the operations of the plant.
He said the company which had received government sops while setting up its manufacturing unit should have consulted the central and state governments when it had decided to shut down.
"Should not have the government held talks with the management to ensure the workers did not lose job ... Cannot the government take over (the operations) of the plant considering the future of the workers, most of whom are from Tamil Nadu," he said.
The government had a duty to safeguard employees' interest and therefore there were expectations that it took steps for their welfare, he added.
Nokia last week said that it will shut down its Sriperumbudur plant from November 1 as Microsoft had terminated mobile purchase agreement from the factory and that it was left with no business.