No question of accepting workers' demands: Maruti

As the strike at its Manesar plant entered the fifth day today, the country's largest car-maker Maruti Suzuki India today said there was no question of accepting the demands of the workers.

"When a union is not even registered, in today's condition, how can we even think of accepting their demands? There is no demand of the workers which we can accept," Maruti Suzuki India Chairman RC Bhargava told PTI.

In the meantime, the strike by the workers continued for the fifth day today, with no production taking place.

"Strike is continuing, the production is fully stopped," a company spokesperson said.

Around 2,000 workers at the plant have been on strike since Saturday, resulting in a production loss of about 3,000 units till yesterday and the value of the loss is estimated to be around Rs 150 crore.

The striking workers are demanding the recognition of a new union -- Maruti Suzuki Employees Union (MSEU) -- formed by those working at the Manesar plant, besides retaining contract labourers for the two upcoming new units inside the complex.

Refraining from any disciplinary action against the 11 office-bearers of the new union is also another demand.

The workers said the company currently has one union, Maruti Udyog Kamgar Union, which is mainly dominated by those working at the Gurgaon facility.

The issues at the Manesar plant are different from those of the Gurgaon unit and hence, they are seeking recognition of the new union, a worker said.

The company had yesterday said its sales will be affected if the strike at the Manesar plant is prolonged.

The Manesar plant rolls out about 1,200 units every day in two shifts.

The factory produces hatchbacks Swift and A-Star and sedans DZiRE and SX4.

The company's shares were being quoted at Rs 1,226.70 apiece in afternoon trade on the Bombay Stock Exchange, down 1.13%.