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Attempts by Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) to redeploy workers from the loss-making ‘fixed-line’ manufacturing facility in the city has failed to evoke response.
The company has already expressed its intention to wind up the unit, currently, having 48 employees, to the West Bengal Government.
According to company sources, NSN offered to re-deploy 32 employees from Kolkata to its mobile infrastructure equipment facility in Chennai. However, only five employees responded to the offer. An offer for voluntary retirement had failed to evoke adequate response either, as only 12 employees opted for early separation.
“Of the 32 job vacancies in Chennai that were created, five chose to go with it,” an official from the company’s Kolkata-unit told Business Line .
In an email response to Business Line , NSN said: “While we cannot provide specific details, as per policy, some vacant positions within the company were opened for all our employees including those at Kolkata factory. Some of the employees from Kolkata factory applied for these and moved to Chennai factory and other NSN locations this year.”
According to State IT Minister Partha Chatterjee confirmed that the company was keen to close the unit. The State Government on its part had offered NSN the option of shifting its Chennai unit to the State. Matching benefits and sops would be provided by the Government.
Lease Expiry
“We had asked if it was possible for NSN to shift its Chennai facilities here in Kolkata. We were ready to give the necessary benefits. However, they pointed out that the company was closing down its landline facility here. We have nothing to do in this regard,” Chatterjee said.
NSN officials said the company has to exit its Sector V premises by May 31, 2013; when its lease with Siemens is set for expiry.
The factory building and equipment were handed over by Seimens Public Communication Network Ltd to NSN post the formation of the Nokia-Seimens joint venture.
According to Chatterjee, the State Government has already asked NSN to honour its earlier pledge of setting up an IT-park. “We will have possession of the land if NSN closes down the facility,” Chatterjee added.
The deployment scheme is the second attempt by NSN, to ensure smooth closure of its Sector V (Kolkata) unit. Earlier this year, it offered a voluntary retirement with a per employee package of nearly Rs 20 lakh.
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