Maruti Suzuki aims to re-hire at least 1,000 of the 1,869-contract workers at its Manesar plant to get closer to the full output level of about 1,900 cars a day (over two shifts).

The process of converting these workers to permanent positions will begin on September 2.

With almost all of the 970 permanent workers back at the Manesar facility, the factory on Thursday (August 30) made 427 units of the Swift, Dzire, SX4 and A-Star models over a single shift.

The facility, which had re-started operations on August 21 after over a month following the July 18 violence, had made only 70-80 cars on day one. “We’re increasing output on a day-to-day basis, but would need at least 1,000 more people to be closer to full output. Right now, even the 400 supervisors are working on the line and they need to go back to their original roles,” a company official said.

Before the July trouble, Manesar had employed 1,528 permanent workers and 1,869 on contract.

However, around 500 of the permanent workers were dismissed on August 21 on alleged involvement in the clash.

Permanent Positions

To reach the full output, the company would also need significantly more new hires. This is because the worker strength at Manesar had earlier been 3,300, and the current strength planned (with the 1,000 contract re-hires) would only add up to about 2,000.

Initially, interviews will be held on September 2 and 7 for the Manesar contract workforce to convert to permanent positions.

After this, the 3,000 contract workers at the Gurgaon facility will also be given a chance to become permanent at Manesar.

“It’s tough to know which of the contract workers were involved in the violence, so apart from the interview, we will depend on police and eye witnesses to identify the culprits,” the official said.

> roudra.b@thehindu.co.in

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