British-Dutch consumer goods company Unilever was recently in the news after a rap song titled "Kodaikanal Won't" went viral on social media.
Just four days after the song hit cyber space, the company has responded to the issues related to their Thermometer factory in Kodaikanal, which was closed in 2001 due to environmental problems.
In an official statement, Unilever said safety of its employees was the number one priority.
"We have been working hard to find a fair and mutually satisfactory resolution at the suggestion of the Madras High Court and have had more than ten meetings with our former employees' representatives since 2014," Unilever noted.
The company also plans to clean up soil around the factory premises after it gets final consent from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board.
Safety is our number one priority. Extensive studies found no harm to workers or environment in Kodaikanal. Facts: http://t.co/QaKjYlpsUN
— Unilever (@Unilever) August 4, 2015
We've taken action to clean up soil on factory premises – now waiting final consent from local authority before completing. — Unilever (@Unilever) August 4, 2015
Working hard to find fair resolution with former workers – but need all parties around the table to agree on an outcome.
— Unilever (@Unilever) August 4, 2015
Meanwhile, the rap by Chennai-based Sofia Ashraf and other activists and victims of mercury poisoning, asked the company to clean up the contamination left behind by them and to compensate their ex-workers.
The song, which was inspired by Nicki Minaj's "Anaconda", has been viewed more than 1.7 million times, within one week of its release.
Watch the viral rap song below:
