700 trainees in Nokia Chennai plant opt for VRS

Around 700 trainees at Nokia's Sriperumbudur facility near Chennai have opted for the voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) announced by the company recently, union sources said.

"There are about 700 trainees at the facility and they have opted for it (VRS)," sources in the Nokia India Employees Union told PTI.

Nokia, which is involved in tax disputes with both the Income Tax department and the state government, earlier this month announced the VRS, saying it was part of its regular review of its manufacturing strategy to optimise and ensure smooth and timely delivery of its products.

The plant employs around 8,000 workers, who raised apprehensions that the VRS would be forced upon them.

However, Nokia India had said it was only optional and whoever was interested can take up the VRS offer.

On reports that Chennai-plant was likely to be excluded from the $7.2 billion Nokia-Microsoft deal, the sources said they were not sure about it but wanted the interest of employees to be taken care of.

The Nokia-Microsoft deal was expected to end by March.

However, due to pending regulatory approvals, last month Nokia had said that it would be delayed by a month.