For the fourth consecutive day, the deadlock between striking workers at Maruti Suzuki's Manesar plant and the management continued. This has resulted in the total production loss to touch 3,000 units, while revenue losses are estimated at Rs 100 crore.
With no immediate solution in sight, some workers told Business Line that the strike is likely to continue for the next few days. Maruti has declared the strike ‘illegal' and sacked 11 workers on Monday for allegedly inciting others to stop work.
The strike, over the demand for recognition of a new union at the Manesar plant – Maruti Suzuki Employees' Union (MSEU), began last Saturday. More than 2,000 workers of the estimated 3,000 employees are believed to be involved.
“The management did not hold any discussions with us today (Tuesday). I think this struggle will continue over the next few days,” a senior member of the newly formed union told
A Maruti Suzuki official said that situation at the plant was the same as the day before, with no major discussions taking place.
At present, there is a single union - Maruti Suzuki Kamgar Union, based out of the Gurgaon plant, where production remains unaffected. However, workers at the Manesar plant say that this is a management backed union which does not identify with their interests.
Political affiliation
The striking workers also denied reports of aligning with any political party or a trade union for support. “We have an independent struggle and our demands are very simple. It is an incorrect rumour being spread to take the attention away from the main cause of our struggle,” said a striking worker.
Another worker added, “All we are asking for is that there should not be any legal proceedings against the workers who have refused to join the Gurgaon plant union, or those who were involved in filing the application for our own union. We need that in writing.”
Mr R.C. Bhargava, Chairman, Maruti Suzuki, who met media persons on Tuesday, pegged the daily revenue loss at Rs 40 crore. However, he said it will not have a dent on the company's annual turnover of close to Rs 40,000 crore.
Another Maruti official said that the company is not very worried about daily production losses. At the dealer end it has an inventory of 28 days, while the factory itself has stock for five days.