25 March, 2011Protesting against intensive workload, 900 workers in General Motors India Pvt. Ltd in Halol in the Indian State of Gujarat are on strike from March 16, 2011. The majority of workmen are suffering from severe back pain and spinal cord ailments owing to excessive workload. Union called for National Human Rights Commission's (NHRC) intervention.
INDIA: Around 900 workers are on strike in General Motors India Pvt. Ltd in Halol protesting against the intensive workload and demanding withdrawal of workers transfers and solution to wage related discrepancies.
Representing the workers' cause, the trade union Gujarat Kamdar Mandal affiliated to Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) approached National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on March 7, arguing that the violations of workers' rights in General Motors are human rights violations and called for commission's intervention to bring relief to workers.
In its complaint to NHRC, the union enclosed the medical reports of 269 workmen who are facing health problems. The union argued that large numbers of workers are taking Combiflam (pain killer tablet) every day from the company's medical centre and engaging in regular excessive work. When workers complained of the pain, they are transferred to company's dealership operations in Delhi, Gurgaon, Chennai. Four workers have been suspended in the last 15 days.
The union alleged that workmen are staying under an atmosphere of fear as Labour Commissioner and related Government Authorities turn a blind eye whenever grievances are raised by workers. Out of 1,800 workmen, General Motors employ around 900 temporary workers, who are performing similar work as that of permanent workers, but paid less violating Equal Remuneration Act 1996. These workers are treated inhumanly and compelled to work for more than 9 hours a day. After every six months, to evade the law, temporary workers are relieved and many of them are recruited as fresh workers and provided new provident fund number.
In response, on March 10 the NHRC issued notice to District Magistrate / Collector, Panchmahal (Godhra), Gujarat to submit a report in detail within a week, failing which a coercive process will be initiated.