ALAPPUZHA: The state government’s intitiative to reopen the state-owned Malabar Cements’ Cherthala Unit is gathering momentum. A meeting of higher officials and trade union leaders held last week in Thiruvananthapuram had directed the Malabar Cements Ltd Managing Director to submit a report on the measures to be taken to reopen the Grinding unit at Chennam Pallippuram, near here.The meeting, presided over by Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty, had directed the MD, K Padmakumar, to submit a report within 45 days to the government. M A Aarif MLA also attended the meeting.The lockout began in the company in 2009 after the cement production dipped to 9,000 to 10,000 tonnes per month. The grinding unit at Chennam Pallippuram was established in 2003 as a subsidiary unit of the Malabar Cements Pallakkad.The unit, spread over 35 acres, was set up with an investment of more than Rs 33 crore.It has the capacity to produce 600 tonnes of cement per day.The decrease in the production led the unit to a loss and it declared lockout.The management had raised the issue of wage difference among the loading labourers as a reason for the lockout. They argued that the loading charge at the Cherthala unit was higher compared to the Palakkad unit. However, the trade unions discarded these arguments.“The shortage in the raw material and the disputes in the sub-contracting were the real reasons behind the lockout,” said N R Baburaj, president of the Malabar Cements Loading Workers Union (CITU). “Around 157 permanent employees and 83 contract labourers were working in the factory. The company declared lockout when the demand for cement was high. The decrease in the production led to cut in wages. The management also demanded a reduction in the number of labourers. But, the trade unions opposed this move,” Baburaj said."The management reduced the number of masks, soaps and other materials supplied to labourers. But, they never carried out any strike for hike in the salary,” he said.“At the closing year, the company made a profit of Rs 4 crore,” said Independent Labours Union District Secretary K M Muhammed.The two-and-a-half-year lockout has created problems in the unit. Some of the machines have rusted out and need replacement. Other machineries need maintenance and repair works. Apart from rebuilding the compound wall, other construction works also need to be completed.“The management has been studying the issues, and a report will be submitted to the government in one month,” said MD K Padmakumar.
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