15 September, 2011In an unprecedented show of solidarity workers from Suzuki Powertrain India, Suzuki Castings and Suzuki Motor Cycle India started a sit-in strike from September 14 afternoon in support of Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. (MSIL) Workers. All plants are located in the Gurgaon - Manesar area in the state of Haryana.
INDIA: Striking workers are calling for early settlement of the conflict at the car manufacturing plant MSIL. They also sought the regularisation of casual workers who have worked for more than four years, and increments. Suzuki Powertrain employs over 3,000 workers at its Manesar plant, where it manufactures diesel engines and transmissions for supply to MSI. Suzuki Castings has about 1,000 workers. Suzuki Motorcycles India employs 2,000 workers at its plant.
On September 13 the MSIL management announced that it hired around 100 permanent employees in a bid to replace those who refused to sign the good conduct bond. The company maintains its adamant position that it will not enter into any dialogue with workers. Workers have to sign the good conduct bond and only then they will be allowed inside the company premises. MSIL is continuing to recruit workers. On the same day the company dismissed five more workers on charges of attack on three supervisors and a worker. It takes the total number of dismissed workers to 28 and 34 suspended.
On September 12 around 2500 MSIL workers and 50 students from the Jawaharlal Nehru University held a rally at the Haryana Governments Mini-secretariat at Gurgaon. They met Mr. V.K. Hooda, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Haryana and submitted their demands. Workers are willing to return to work if the following demands are met;
- Withdrawal of the 'good conduct bond'
- Reinstatement of all dismissed and suspended workers and withdrawal of all charge sheets
- Acceptance of the new union
In a related development on September 13, workers at the Manesar plant of auto component-maker Munjal Showa Ltd, too, resorted to strike, demanding regularisation of casual workers after five years of training and certain welfare measures. An agreement between the workers and management was reached on the evening of the same day.