FMCG major HUL on Wednesday said that it has entered into a settlement with former employees who were al-legedly exposed to toxic mercury vapour at its former thermometer factory in Kodaikanal.

The company has signed a settlement with Pond’s HLL ex-Mercury Employees Welfare Association, representing the former employees thermometer factory, HUL said in a statement.

“The memorandum of settlement reached was recorded in an order passed by the Madras High Court. The settlement has been entered into on humanitarian considerations to put an end to this long standing matter pending in the Court for several years and also is in keeping with the suggestion of the high court,” HUL said.

This agreement was signed on March 4, 2016 in the presence of representatives of former workers and HUL. As per its terms and conditions, HUL will provide ex gratia payments to 591 former workers and their families towards livelihood enhancement projects.