HUL not to be allowed to close factory: Assam Minister

Guwahati, Jul 20 (UNI) Assam Industries and Commerce Minister Pradyut Bordoloi today said the state government would not allow the Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) factory at Doomdoma in Tinsukia district to close down, a move mulled by the HUL management after the lock-out on July 15.

Talking to reporters here, Mr Bordoloi said, '' The government has talked to the HUL management and we will ensure that the dispute is resolved. '' Trouble had erupted after the management had refused to pay the Settlement Implementation Allowance (SIA) to employees from April this year as was agreed upon in 2004 claiming that the workers had failed to comply with the clauses of the agreement and had indulged in various illegal activities such as flash strikes and work stoppages.

Work had been halted at the factory since July six last after the workers gheraoed and kept executives of the factory confined in a room for 16 hours on that day with the management declaring a lockout on July 15.

Mr Bordoloi highlighted that the HUL personal products factory at Doomdoma was a success story in the state and the government was actively pursuing to end the stalemate.

The factory was set up in 2001 and the government had shown great promptness in helping the HUL establish it, he added.

He said the HUL management had informed him that workers were creating problems for the management for more than a year now, which had led to the lock-out.

'' The management even hinted at a possible closure but the government would not let it happen and do all in its capacity to stop it, '' he added.

He pointed out that the factory enjoyed total tax incentive under the NE industries act of 1997 and the HUL would have to pay up all the amount in arrear if it decided to close it.

'' We will try to resolve the problems and the factory will be functioning soon again, '' Mr Borodoloi added.

UNI