Falcon Tyres, which had suspended operations in January following protests by employees, reopened on Monday, bringing relief to its workers.
Mysuru district in-charge Minister V Srinivas Prasad launched the operations by switching on the machines amid cheers from employees. He visited all sections of the factory and witnessed the production of tubes and tyres. He lauded the management for relaunching production and assured it of co-operation from the government to run the factory smoothly. The government conducted a series of talks with the management to settle the dispute while the employees held massive protests to press their demands.
Speaking at a public meeting on the premises of the factory later, Prasad said the government had little control over private companies and it was difficult to solve the employees’ problems. “(But) in the interests of the employees, the government intervened and it is now the employees’ responsibility to co-operate with the management to ensure the company makes profit. All governments are bound by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreement. So, while industries suffer, industrialists are safe. But employees become the victims,” he added.
Prasad said that as the closure of K R Mill, Ideal Jawa and Sujatha Mills and the impact on their employees were still fresh in public memory, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah took steps to resolve the stalemate.
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