Kitex staff protest against ‘false allegations’

They say outside interference will jeopardise their livelihood

Thousands of employees of the Kitex group of companies joined a mass demonstration dubbed the ‘flames of protest’ on Monday against ‘outside interference in the affairs of the company, which will ultimately end up jeopardising their livelihood.’ The employees’ protest comes in the wake of allegations that the Kitex group was violating labour laws. The Labour Department had issued a notice to the company while a group of MLAs, led by P.T. Thomas, had levelled charges of environmental pollution. Kitex Group chairman Sabu M. Jacob accused the government agencies of hounding the company and holding nearly a dozen checks on the premises in June without intimation. He threatened to withdraw from making investments to the tune of ₹3,500 crore in two apparel parks and an industrial park in the State. However, the Industries Department reached out to him. Industries Minister P. Rajeeve said that surprise raids were not part of the government policy and Mr. Jacob’s grievances would be addressed.