Thaindian News

Kolkata, April 4 (IANS) Tyre-maker Dunlop’s factory in Sahagunj area of West Bengal’s Hooghly district is facing a turmoil after the management put up a suspension of work notice, prompting trade unions to protest at the site Monday.

The management of Dunlop, part of the Ruia Group, put up the notice Sunday at the factory gate.

All trade unions, including those affiliated to the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) and Indian National Trinamool Trade Union Congress (INTTUC), held rallies in front of the factory Monday.

No official of the company, however, was available for comment despite repeated attempts.

According to comapny sources, rising raw material costs prompted the management to close production for the time being.

It is likely that the factory will remain closed for at least three months.

Earlier, the factory was closed down in November 2008 due to lack of orders in the aftermath of the financial meltdown. The state government then did not respond to company chairman Pawan K. Ruia’s request for a Rs.100 crore loan from the West Bengal State Industrial Development Corporation.

The company then sought intervention of Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, who stepped in to resolve the deadlock.

“We don’t have much faith in the management. They have put up work suspension notice when all political parties are busy campaigning for the elections,” INTTUC president Shovandeb Chattopadyay said.

“Market conditions have started improving and I do not find any reason for such a closure,” he said.

The management has also not cleared the dues of the employees, he added.

President of INTUC affiliated employees’ union Ranjit Niyogi said: “We have condemned this as illegal. The management is out of the country. We tried to talk to the management, but there was no response from them.”