Hindustan Unilever Ltd.

Hindustan Unilever (HUL) has entered into a settlement to provide ex-gratia to former employees of its thermometer factory in Kodaikanal. The amount of the ex-gratia has not been disclosed but can run into a few crore rupees given the fact that payment will be made to about 591 such employees.

The issue pertains to a writ petition in the Madras High Court, moved by the Ponds Hindustan Lever Ex-Mercury Employees Welfare Association in 2006 against the Hindustan Unilever (then Hindustan Lever ), the Union of India and the State of Tamil Nadu.

The association, which represented 591 former employees of HUL’s thermometer factory at Kodaikanal, alleged that they were exposed to toxic mercury vapour during their employment leading to loss of life and exposure to severe health ailments.

HUL is India’s largest fast moving consumer goods company, with leadership in Home & Personal Care Products and Foods & Beverages. HUL's brands, spread across 20 distinct consumer categories, touch the lives of two out of three Indians.