Centre assures intervention in CorroHealth layoffs in Kerala: Minister Bindhu Krishna

New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 13 (PTI) Kerala Labour Minister Bindu Krishna on Monday said the Centre has assured intervention in the issue of around 850 employees laid off by health technology firm CorroHealth from its centres in Kochi and Kozhikode. Speaking to reporters after meeting Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in New Delhi, Krishna said that they were discussing various labour-related issues concerning Kerala, including the CorroHealth layoff matter, in the meeting. She said that the sudden termination of employees without prior notice was brought to the Union minister's attention. "The response from Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya was highly encouraging. He spoke specifically about social security and job security," she said. Krishna said she also briefed the Union minister about the discussions scheduled with the CorroHealth management on July 20. "The Centre will intervene in such matters. The minister told us similar situations had arisen elsewhere in the country earlier and that he viewed the Kerala government's intervention in this issue very seriously. He also asked to be updated in the coming days, following which there would be a specific intervention," she said. Krishna said efforts would be made to protect the employees of CorroHealth, which has centres in Kerala as well as other parts of the country. Krishna said that during the Labour Department's discussions with the company representatives in Kerala, it was suggested that if the company shifted work to other centres, it should be done gradually, following the "last come, first go" principle generally followed in the sector. "The Union minister also raised the same point and asked whether some employees could be shifted to other centres. We told him that this was exactly what we had suggested. Opportunities should be created to protect the jobs of our children. He assured us that the Central government would intervene in the matter," she said. "After the meeting on July 20, if required, the Central government will hold further discussions later," she said. The minister said she also raised Kerala's concerns relating to the Employment Guarantee Scheme. "The Centre's view is that the scheme introduced by it is being implemented properly. However, we explained Kerala's specific concerns. We also highlighted several issues relating to the Labour Department, including the poor living conditions of plantation workers and gig workers, the poor condition of some ESI hospitals, the lack of mobile medical units and several other issues. The Union minister assured us that these matters would also be addressed," she said. Replying to a question on the death of a student from Haripad in Uzbekistan, she termed it a deeply tragic incident. "It is an extremely sad and unfortunate incident. The pain caused by the death is profound. The student was killed brutally. The state government will intervene effectively in the matter. Under the leadership of the chief minister, steps are being taken in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs," she said. PTI TBA TBA ADB