The Labour Minister, Mr Mallikarjun Kharge, has said that the Centre is monitoring the 11-day-long strike at the country’s largest car maker Maruti Suzuki India’s Manesar plant, but ruled out direct intervention as long as the Haryana Government is handling the issue.
“We are monitoring the Maruti dispute, our chief labour commissioner is assessing the situation,” Mr Kharge told reporters on the sidelines of the 44th session of the Standing Labour Committee here today.
Asked if the Centre would intervene to resolve the industrial dispute, which has the potential of damaging foreign investment inflows into the country, he said: “As long as the state government is handling the Maruti issue, we will not interfere, but if they refer this case to us, then we will take some measures.”
Expressing hope that the matter will be resolved soon, he said: “Labour Secretary of Harayana spoke to me yesterday and assured me to solve the dispute very soon.”
The workers have been on strike, demanding the reinstatement of about 1,200 casual workers. They are also demanding that the 44 permanent workers, who have been suspended after a settlement agreement signed on October 1 to end a 33-day-long standoff, are taken back.
Workers at Suzuki Powertrain India Ltd (SPIL) and Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt Ltd (SMIPL) have also gone on strike in support of their colleagues at MSI’s Manesar plant.