Mohali Dell Centre to shut down, staff protest

Around 500 employees of Dell’s Mohali centre went on strike late on Wednesday after being told that the centre is shutting down in a week, sources said. The employees were given a week’s notice and told that the Centre is relocating to Bangalore, where they have the option of joining.

Protesters gathered in large numbers outside Dell office in Industrial Area Phase 8. Sources said, there are, at present, around 500 employees working at the call centre. Around 9.30 pm, they were called for a meeting in the parking lot where they were told that the centre will close within a week. “We have been given the option of shifting to Bangalore after the relocation but we are not being given any hike. Also, most of us are settled here and would not like to shift to Bangalore,” said an employee.

The employees said that the company’s senior officials had already called the police and an ambulance on the spot anticipating a strong reaction after the announcement.

Around two months ago, the employees were given the option of ‘voluntary separation plan’ amidst fears of the centre shutting down. Hundreds of employees had opted for it, while the remaining employees chose to stay back. The Dell spokesperson could not be reached for his comment.