Britannia company shutdown in Kolkata leaves temp workers unpaid

• Britannia Company closes Taratala factory in Kolkata after more than 100 years
• 122 permanent employees and 250 temporary workers affected
• Permanent staff receive compensation; temporary employees claim lack of compensation

The historic Britannia Company, which has been an iconic presence in Kolkata for over a century, has abruptly closed its Taratala factory, leaving its workforce in turmoil. The closure has affected 122 permanent employees and 250 temporary workers, who were caught off guard when they arrived at work to find a notice announcing the suspension of operations. While permanent employees received lump sum compensation, temporary workers claim they were overlooked in the compensation process.

Britannia Company, known for producing thousands of tons of biscuits annually, has not provided a clear reason for shutting down its Taratala factory. The company has offered Rs 22.25 lakh as compensation to employees with over 10 years of service, and Rs 18.75 lakh to those with less than six to ten years. However, temporary staff, many employed since 2004, lament that they have not received adequate compensation despite their years of service.