Dunlop unit in TN capital reopens

Chennai, Apr 10 (UNI) The manufacturing unit of tyre major 'Dunlop' which was shut down here in 1998 due to financial problems, was reopened today much to the relief of 1000-odd workers.

Following an agreement reached between them and the management, the workers commenced maintenance work to ready the factory for operations.

The production would start before August 31 as per the accord, Dunlop Factory Employees Union President A Krishnasamy.

The company's manufacturing units at Ambattur Industrial Estate here and Sahagunj in West Bengal were shut down in 1998 following financial crisis. Though the units were briefly re-opened in 2000, they were shut down again by the M R Chhabria Group, which owned the company.

However, hopes of the company's revival renewed when the Kolkata-based Ruia Group took over the company in 2005.

Mr Krishnasamy said the union was holding talks with the management for extension of gratuity and provident fund benefits to those who had retired in the meantime.

UNI AKN GM 2008