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Colgate Palmolive extends closure for one more week
HETAUDA, NOV 03 - Management of Colgate Palmolive, for the third time, has extended the closure of its manufacturing for a week. Even at this time the management has brought ahead reasons like fragile security conditions and declined consumption to justify its closure.
The factory was first closed from October 19 to 27 and later extended till November 1.
Issuing a notice, the management of the Indian joint venture manufacturing has informed that the factory would be closed from Sunday to Saturday.
"Workers knew of the closure when they reached the factory at 5 am expecting the resumption in production after the regular closure of 14 days," said an employee. He also raised concern over the continued extension of the factory’s closure.
Talking in this connection an office bearer at the employees’ union said, "It is more aggravating, as the management has been closing the factory without any consultation and prior notice with workers’ union."
Even the senior staff of Labour Office, Hetauda viewed that the factory had defied the existing Act by closing the factory without any notice to the office. "The repeated and continued closure of the factory with no consent of the labour office goes against the Act," said Madhu Prasad Dhungana, acting chief of the office.
According to the existing Acts, the company must to take consent of the labour office if it is to close the factory for more than 15 days.
Meanwhile, office bearers of the workers union stated that the reasons regarding the closure of the factory were not based on the reality. "These are mere statements and attempts to divert away employees from the demands they have placed," they said.
The employees of the factory have been demanding the management to increase salary, provide life insurance coverage and vehicle facilities since months and had put forth a four-point demand four months back.
The two parties even held series of negotiations to resolve differences on the matter. However, about a fortnight back the two sides walked away from negotiation.
However, other local entrepreneur ruled out that the factory was closed due to its problems with employees or market.
They speculate possible extortion of donations and similar demands of the Maoists could be the reasons for the closure. But, the management representatives preferred to maintain silence on the matter.
Colgate Palmolive, the factory located in the Hetauda Industrial Estate, produces a total of 40 tons of tooth paste and tooth power. The closure of the factory for a day is said to result in a loss of Rs 10 million. The factory that started operation from 1999 employs 136 persons.Posted on: 2003-11-02 10:58
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