‘Flagging of labour rule violations could have led to CorroHealth lay-offs in Kozhikode’

A section of employees of CorroHealth Infotech Private Ltd. in Kozhikode, whose services were recently terminated without prior notice, have claimed that their attempts to flag labour rule violations at work could be one of the reasons for their lay-off.

About 300 employees of the company providing health care analytics and technology-driven solutions to hospitals and health-care systems lost their jobs in Kozhikode on July 3. In Kochi, the number of those who found themselves jobless were over 500.

Some of the employees in Kozhikode told The Hindu on Tuesday that they had taken up labour rule violations by the company with the government authorities.

“Though the work schedule is between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., the company forced us to be in the office till 9 p.m. quite often. Most of us were forced to work for over 12 hours. When we took up the issue with the Labour department five-six months ago, the authorities had warned the company against violation of rules. However, after two-three months, things were back to square one,” one of the staff said.

Though the staff are supposed to get day-off on Saturday and Sunday, they were also compelled to be in office on these days too citing pending work. It was also reported that the performance grading of staff who took their statutory leaves were lowered.

Those who faced the abrupt termination notices included the staff who recently relocated from the company’s office elsewhere in the country. “I had been working in their Coimbatore office in Tamil Nadu. I joined this office just recently. When some of us said we were willing to be relocated to retain our jobs, the company officials turned down the request,” another staff said.

As of now, the laid off staff are pinning their hopes on the talks scheduled between government officials and management representatives in Kochi on July 10.

Though the discussions were earlier planned on July 6, the company is reported to have sought more time to send its representatives. Till July 10, the staff are allowed to enter the premises in Kozhikode and mark their attendance.

K. Jayanth, Kozhikode North MLA, who spoke to them on Tuesday, said he had discussed the issue with Labour Minister Bindhu Krishna multiple times. “The Minister has promised to take it up with the Union Labour Minister if the July 10 talks fail. The State government is trying its best to resume the company’s operations here,” he added. On Monday, Beypore MLA P.A. Mohamed Riyas also visited the premises and spoke to them.

CITU protest

Meanwhile, activists of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) took out a protest march to the company’s office near West Hill. Opening the march, CITU State secretary P.K. Mukundan blamed the Labour Codes implemented by the Union government for the current situation. He also accused the United Democratic Front government of following the Centre’s policies with regard to this. “When the U.S. company officials said they can’t come for talks, the Minister simply toed their line. Why did the government did not take any action? Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan is also keeping mum,” he alleged.