700 trainees opt for VRS at Nokia Chennai plant

CHENNAI: Around 700 trainees at Nokia’s Sriperumbudur facility near here 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.