Maruti Suzuki India seems to be getting into a big trouble as around 7000 workers from the three factories of two different companies of Suzuki have gone on strike. The joining of hands of these many workers in the strike with the already protesting workers at the Maruti Suzuki India plant in Manesar has strengthened their stand. This strike can cause major loss in the operations of Maruti Suzuki.
The strike started on Wednesday in Suzuki Powertrain India Ltd in which 3000 workers abstained from working. On the other side, around 2000 workers in Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt. Ltd which is located in the Gurgaon-Manesar belt also went on strike. Suzuki Castings, which is a part of Suzuki Powertrain, was also affected by this unfortunate strike as nearly 1000 workers joined the strike.
On this issue, the Haryana Labour Secretary Sarban Singh stated that “There is nothing illegal about the ‘good conduct bond' as it is nothing but a certified code of conduct of the company. It is their internal affair. At best, we can mediate and try settling the issue while insuring that the company does not violate the labour laws of the land”.
The President of Suzuki Motorcycle India Workers Union, Anil Kumar is in favour of getting things settled between the company and the workers. Following the strike, Maruti stopped its production at its Gurgaon and Manesar plants. This has very much affected the functioning of the company.
Following the talks between the workers and the management of the company, the Suzuki workers have decided to undertake normal production immediately. This has enabled the company to restart its production.
As per the new statement released by the company, Maruti Suzuki said that the workers would resume production at its Manesar plant on Sunday and at the Gurgaon plant on Monday. The company officials stated “While discussions are continuing, the management remains firm on the following two points—that Maruti Suzuki management’s stance is that workers will have to sign the good-conduct bond, and the management will not take back those dismissed or suspended for indiscipline, sabotage and for deliberately causing quality problems in cars.
As per the new good-conduct bond, Manesar workers are required to follow certain rules, such as declaring that they will not resort to go-slow. Additionally, the workers would not indulge in intermittent stoppage of work, stay-in-strike, work-to-rule, sabotage or otherwise indulge in any activity which would hamper the normal production in the factory.
This strike has caused a series of unfortunate events, such as near about 57 workers got fired due to this. Additionally, there has been shortage of engines and other critical components required for manufacturing process, which resulted in hampering operations till Sunday.
Things are looking good for the company for now as the management’s tough stand is working and they have managed to create some differences among the labour unions. Though the company is keeping its fingers crossed, a lot will depend on how things unfold in the coming week.
