Bajaj Auto Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj replied by email to questions sent by Business Line on the ongoing strike by workers at the company’s Chakan plant.
The Pune labour commissioner has served Bajaj Auto and four contractors a show cause notice asking it to explain why contract workers - employed for non-core jobs are being asked to do vehicle assembly.
We will gladly provide any and all such info to indicate how we have always acted lawfully.
The factory inspector has received a letter from the VKS on July 6 stating that 500-odd contractual workers have been forcibly lodged 24-hours within the Chakan factory to assist in production.
I’m not surprised — an irrational union that can demand free shares is deranged enough to accuse Bajaj of kidnapping 500 of its own people in this day and age.
The reality is that we have made the effort and incurred the expenses of providing our people the option of this facility as many of them fear for their safety if they were to attempt to commute between Bajaj (Auto) and their homes. Their fears rest on continuing instances of intimidation and assault as is well known to the concerned police authorities.
Is Bajaj Auto sticking to its stand (taken at the press conference 10 days ago) that no negotiations with the VKS can be held until production at Chakan is resumed and full efficiency restored?
Yes
The Labour Court judge has asked has Union and Bajaj Auto to negotiate. Your comment.
True but that doesn’t prevent Bajaj stating its above-mentioned position — that’s, in fact, what is being ‘negotiated’ every day, even currently.