Chennai: 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.
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 optimize 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.
The Nokia-Microsoft deal was expected to end by March. However, it has been delayed by a month and India unit has been kept outside it.
