CorroHealth layoffs: Labour Commissioner to meet affected employees; company officials to stay away

Kochi: The Kerala government is stepping up efforts to address the CorroHealth mass layoffs on Monday, with Labour Commissioner Safna Nasaruddin scheduled to meet affected employees in Ernakulam as the Labour Department continues its intervention.

The meeting will be attended by the affected employees and public representatives. Company officials are not expected to participate. However, senior CorroHealth executives are expected to arrive in Kochi on July 10 for discussions with Labour Minister Bindhu Krishna, government representatives, employee representatives and trade unions.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the minister said the government had begun acting immediately after the issue came to light and was exploring every possible measure to protect the affected workers.

She said the Regional Labour Officer and Thrikkakara MLA Uma Thomas had held urgent discussions with the company's management soon after reports of the layoffs emerged. According to the minister, the management initially agreed to temporarily freeze the layoff process following the talks but withdrew that assurance the next day.

Despite the setback, the Labour Department has continued its efforts to resolve the issue through further dialogue, she said.

The minister also said the matter had been brought to the attention of the Chief Minister and that the State would seek the Union government's intervention if necessary.

Political reactions continue

The layoffs have also drawn political reactions in Kerala.

CPM Ernakulam district secretary S. Sathish called for urgent State intervention, alleging that around 600 employees were dismissed from CorroHealth's Palarivattom office in Kochi and another 200 from its Kozhikode office without prior notice.

Former MP and HMS national president Thampan Thomas said the matter could be pursued through the Union government or international labour organisations if required. He said such avenues could be explored to seek a resolution to the issue.