900 medical coding staff terminated abruptly at Kerala offices of US healthcare firm; government steps in

Kochi: Around 900 medical coding professionals at the Indian operations of a US-based healthcare analytics firm were abruptly terminated when they reported for duty on Friday morning, sparking widespread outrage and prompting immediate intervention by the Kerala government.

The affected staff, spread across the company's offices in Kochi and Kozhikode, alleged they were forced out without prior notice or adherence to contractual notice periods.

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Following protests by the terminated workers outside the company premises, local Congress MLA Uma Thomas intervened to challenge the management's decision.

The Kerala labour department subsequently stepped into the dispute to examine the legality of the mass layoffs and seek an immediate resolution.

Uma Thomas, the MLA from Thrikkakara, reached the office and contacted Labour Minister Bindhu Krishna following the employees' protest.

Thomas told reporters she had spoken to company representatives in Kochi and expressed concern that such sudden terminations would seriously affect the lives of employees.

"They have agreed to discuss the matter and provide compensation in accordance with the directions of the labour officer," she said.

The MLA said the priority was to ensure that the employees continued in service.

"There has been intervention from the labour department. The labour secretary will arrive on July 6 and hold discussions," she said.

Labour department officials said they had held discussions with the company representatives in Kochi and decided to keep the termination process on hold.

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According to the officials, the company has assured them that any further decision on the terminations would be taken only after the labour secretary holds a meeting with the management.

The company authorities did not respond to media queries on the issue.