Maruti strike goes unresolved

Agitation enters eleventh day at the Manesar plant

The strike, meanwhile, entered its eleventh day on Monday. Officials said they were hopeful of an early settlement to this prolonged labour unrest.

Negotiations to continue

“Negotiations will continue,” they said.  The unrest has not only hit workers hard but has also cost Maruti a fortune with a loss of over 50,000 cars this year in production.  A company statement on Monday said Maruti has resumed operations at Manesar with some of the trained workers who refused to join the strike.

“The weld shop has been made operational,” it said.
Meanwhile, the  Centre has ruled out any direct intervention as long as the Haryana Labour department is handling the situation.

Workers’ demand

Workers are demanding reinstatement of about 1,200 casual workers and 44 permanent workers who have been under suspension after a settlement agreement signed on October 1.  Maruti has seen a 21 per cent fall in September sales. The state government has declared the strike illegal.

The strike has the backing of several other trade unions in the region.