Ruia reverses Dunlop India layoff decision

Dunlop India has reversed a previous decision to lay off more than 900 workers at its Sahagunj facility. Company management initially took the decision on April 2 and it immediately drew flak from trade union and state government representatives. Three days later Pawan K Ruia, chairman of parent company the Ruia Group, advised management to reopen the plant.

After returning from a visit to Thailand on April 5, Ruia convened an emergency meeting and later issued a statement that read “the lay-off notice issued by Dunlop India will be withdrawn immediately. The company has been advised to immediately issue a new notice to that effect.” Ruia also directed Dunlop India to prepare a revised business plan for the Sahagunj facility, which has not produced any tyres since last November, and implement it within a four-month timeframe.