: Press Club backs employees strongly : Employees of PEOPLE magazine in Mumbai negotiated with the Outlook management, to arrive at a peaceful financial settlement last week.As a result all 17 employees led by Editor Saira Menezes who had taken the management to the Mumbai Labour Court later withdrew their case.
The employees were satisfied that the settlement had been done as per the process of law directed by the honourable Labour Court presided by Mr P K Chitnis. The Outlook management had in the last week of July announced the closure of its international franchise brands PEOPLE, Marie Claire and GEO.
The announcement was first conveyed to the trade and public through an official statement issued by Outlook President Indranil Roy through social media. Only the following day the employees of PEOPLE were informed officially by him. Fearing termination and a delay in arrears and dues, PEOPLE employees in Mumbai had approached the Labour Court in Bandra seeking a stay on the likelihood of termination till dues are paid.
Their appeal had been upheld by the court which directed the Outlook management to follow the process of law. Several media bodies including the Press Club Mumbai had expressed solidarity with the employees of PEOPLE who had approached the court. In a strongly worded letter to the Outlook management, the Press Club, Mumbai had sought immediate steps from the Outlook management to resolve the matter. The court had kept August 6 as the date for hearing and had also summoned the management with its response. One day before the scheduled hearing, on August 5, the Outlook management met the PEOPLE employees and resolved the matter resulting in the case being withdrawn.
Secretary
Press Club, Mumbai
