Thiruvananthapuram: CorroHealth employees laid off from Kochi and Kozhikode offices will receive an additional five months’ salary following talks chaired by labour minister Bindu Krishna on Monday. Thus total compensation package amounts to seven months’ salary, including that of two months already offered.The agreement was reached during a meeting convened by labour department at Secretariat Annex in Thiruvananthapuram. The minister said the company assured that additional compensation would be disbursed before July 26.Besides enhanced compensation, CorroHealth agreed to issue experience certificates, relieving letters and other employment documents required by the affected employees to secure new jobs.Describing the company’s abrupt closure as “inhumane,” Krishna said shutting down operations without prior notice was illegal. She urged the company to reopen its Kerala facilities and reinstate all employees, assuring govt’s support for resuming operations. However, company representatives informed the meeting that technical constraints prevented CorroHealth from continuing operations in Kerala.Following discussions with employee representatives and trade unions, Krishna proposed a settlement under which CorroHealth agreed to pay five additional months’ salary along with other eligible benefits. A tripartite agreement was subsequently signed involving additional labour commissioner, company representatives and employee representatives.The minister said state govt would explore opportunities to help the displaced employees find alternative employment.The affected employees welcomed the settlement, describing it as the best possible outcome under the circumstances.The meeting was attended by Thrikkakara MLA Uma Thomas, special secretary Sheeba George, additional labour commissioner Sunil K M, joint labour commissioners Suresh Kumar D and Vipinlal K V, representatives of CorroHealth, employee and trade union representatives. CorroHealth India head Yadvinder Singh Jaspal, senior vice-president Renuka Devi and HR vice-president Rekha participated via video conference.
