Toyota staff seek action against management for flouting norms

Employees of Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) on Wednesday alleged that the company management had violated the Apprentices Act of 1961 by engaging apprentices for production work. The Toyota Kirloskar Motor Employees Union (TKMEU) registered a complaint with the Apprenticeship Board against the management and demanded action against the company. The management on Tuesday restarted limited production of cars with the help of apprentices, supervisors, engineers and contract workers, after Grade 8 workers refused to sign a good conduct undertaking.

“The management has clearly violated the rules under the Apprentices Act by engaging apprentices for production work. We have filed a complaint with the Apprenticeship Board to take a suitable action against the management,” said R Satish, general secretary, TKMEU. He said the standoff between the management and the workers union continued on Wednesday, as there was no change in the management’s stand on signing the undertaking. The workers continued to stay off from the work and are hoping for some action by the labour department.

"It is high time the labour department intervenes in the matter and passes some orders either in favour of the management or workers. But, we are surprised that the labour department has not taken any action till now. If the same situation prevails for some more days, then we may have to consider legal options," Satish said.

Meanwhile, M B Dyaberi, principal secretary, department of labour, government of Karnataka, is retiring on Friday. "His delay in taking the matter to the next level has surprised us. The government should immediately intervene and pass appropriate directions," he said.

Despite repeated attempts, the Toyota Kirloskar management representatives did not offer any comments.

On March 16, 2014, the management imposed a lockout at two plants in Bidadi and lifted it on March 24 with the condition of signing a good conduct undertaking by the employees. However, the workers have refused to sign any individual undertaking. Toyota is said to have engaged close to 2,000 apprentices for the production work.

 

Ends