Protesting NVH India Auto workers taken into custody

Police also books Korean official for allegedly misbehaving with workers

More than100 striking workers of NVH India Auto Limited, one of the major suppliers for Hyundai Motor India Limited, were taken into custody from its plant at Sriperumbudur, near Chennai, early Saturday morning.

According to D Christopher, secretary of United Labour Federation (ULF), arrested workers, including women, were kept in two wedding halls at Sriperumbudur close to the plant.

While company officials were not available for comment, workers said 107 people were arrested at 3 am on Saturday. According to them, the police told them that they were “disturbing supplies to Hyundai”.

However, a senior police official said 94 workers were taken into custody as a preventive measure, as they were trying to restrict the movement of goods from the factory.

The management had started removing goods using the service of some contract labourers, which the permanent workers tried to stop. They were charged under sections related to restraining other individuals from working. Further action will be decided later on Saturday, the police said.

The police have also booked a Korean management official, who allegedly misbehaved with some workers on Friday.

The official told the police that he was trying to stop the worker, who was lying in front of a loaded vehicle to stop its movement, from getting injured. However, the police said they have booked the person under Section 294 (b) and 341 of the penal code. Since the proceedings are against a foreign national, it might take some more time for further action, said the official.

A source, who was aware of the incident at the factory, said the managing director of the company was not assaulting the worker and was trying to get the worker out of the way of a vehicle so he won’t get hurt.

NVH India Auto, subsidiary of Korean components company NVH Auto, supplies sun visors, head liners, floor carpets and other parts to Hyundai.

According to K Prabhukumar, joint secretary of ULF, the issue started when 15 people were suspended for asking basic facilities and permission for setting up a union in the company. Prabhukumar was also suspended by the company.

The workers were also demanding that the company involve more permanent workers for direct production rather than contract workers.