Labour issue remains at Maruti's Manesar unit for 2nd week

The labour issue at Maruti Suzuki India's (MSI) Manesar unit entered the second week today with the company rolling out only 200 cars even as it brought 40 engineers from its Gurgaon plant to augment production.

"The Manesar facilities of Maruti Suzuki produced 200 cars on Monday, September 5, 2011," the company said in a statement.

"The company brought in another batch of 40 engineers from its Gurgaon plant today," MSI said, adding it took the current strength of people now available for production to over 840.

"With weld operations in Plant B in place now, and over 850 trained and experienced people available, Maruti Suzuki has produced 200 cars," it said.

Production has been severely hit at the first plant at Manesar since last Monday when the management decided to force workers to sign a 'good conduct bond' before entering the factory premises, following alleged "sabotage" and deliberate quality compromise.

MSI had commenced part production of cars at its second plant at the Manesar last Friday unit, almost a month ahead of schedule.

On an average, the firm produces about 1,200 units of Swift, A-Star and SX4 every day from the plant. On this basis, the production loss suffered by MSI so far since last Monday is estimated at about 6,625 units, valued at over Rs 330 crore.

The company said so far 63 permanent workers at plant of the Manesar unit have signed the 'good conduct bond'.

On the first two days of the stand-off, MSI dismissed 5 permanent workers. Besides, it also suspended 26 permanent workers and discontinued the services of another 18 trainees on charges of sabotage and causing quality problems in cars.