Chennai, Jan 5 (IANS): A total of 194 workers of FIH India (formerly Foxconn India), a major vendor for Finnish mobile phone maker Nokia India for its plant in Sriperumbudur, were arrested Monday outside the closed factory premises near here, said a top union official.

"Protesting workers numbering 194 were taken into custody today (Monday) and they will be shortly released," E.Muthukumar, president, Foxconn India Employees Union (FIEU) told IANS.

The workers are protesting against the suspension of operations at the plant since last month.

"A conciliation meeting has been called by the labour department Jan 9. We will further intensify our protest if a solution is not found," Muthukumar said.

Nokia India suspended operations at its factory last November resulting in lack of orders for FIH.

In a statement issued here M.Shanmuguam, general secretary of DMK's labour union wing, urged the central and state governments to end their anti-labour activities and take progressive steps to reopen the Nokia India plant.