CHENNAI, INDIA -- Former workers at Foxconn's India subsidiary are seeking legal help in preventing the EMS company from removing machinery and other assets from a recently closed factory.

Foxconn officially closed its Sriperumbudur plant on Feb. 10, although operations were effectively shut down in December. The plant employed 1,300 workers, many of whom were taken by surprise by the closing and whom picketed outside the factory gates for days following the announcement.

Foxconn pulled the plug on the site after its largest local customer, Nokia, cut orders for handsets.

According to published reports, former workers have filed an affidavit alleging FIH India Pvt. Ltd. plans to remove machinery from the plant. They seek state government help to prevent the company from closing the unit.

A petition filed by five ex-employees asserts Foxconn failed to follow the mandatory procedures regarding layoffs.

The affidavit says Foxconn plans to move the equipment from factory in Sriperumbudur to Sri City, Tada, in Andhra Pradesh, and elsewhere. The suit seeks to stop the move.