Suzuki Boss feels sorry for Manesar incident

After visiting the Manesar plant of Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL), the Chairman of Suzuki Motor Corporation, while addressing the workers, apologised for the clash and praised the spirit workers showed during the difficult time. Initially, Osamu Suzuki had planned a visit to Suzuki Powertrain India Limited, the diesel engine manufacturing plant, but he made some alterations on August 26 night and visited the violence-affected Manesar unit, instead.

A Maruti official who accompanied Suzuki said, “Suzuki apologised for the unexpected violence in the plant and appreciated their (staffers) efforts to re-start it much earlier than expected. Suzuki has also asked the managers to create a better industrial environment by improving the management-worker relationship.”

Post violence of July 18, the workers' morale took a beating with most of them being insecure for their job and a possible retaliation by the furious workers who are absconding after facing criminal charges.

MSIL in collaboration with Haryana Government has taken all possible steps regarding the security at its Manesar unit. The plant resumed its operations amidst heavy security employed by Haryana Police's Rapid Action Force (RAF) on August 21, 2012.

Earlier, MSIL has announced plans to set up a new production facility in Gujarat, capable of producing 2.5 lacs vehicles annually by 2015-2016. Also, the company revealed that 500 Indian will be trained in Japan to make them familiar with the Japanese style of working. It is believed that the new Gujarat plant of the auto major will have the potential to be the company’s largest manufacturing facility in India.