Won't tolerate indiscipline: Suzuki

Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) on Friday endorsed the stance of Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) in the ongoing labour strike by workers at the subsidiary’s Manesar unit, as the Japanese multinational company’s chairman, Osamu Suzuki, said the management would not compromise on discipline.

“Indiscipline is not tolerated... not in Japan, not in India. It is never in the interest of any company and its people,” the head of the 1909-founded automobile giant, the world’s fourth largest, was quoted as saying in a statement released by MSIL. Earlier in the day, the SMC boss, who is on a visit to India, spoke to representatives of the Maruti Udyog Kamgar Union.

Amid this, the Manesar plant produced 250 cars on Friday — after MSIL hired another batch of 95 skilled technicians, taking the total strength of the workforce at Manesar to over 1,000. Another 100 units of Swift were rolled out at the company’s Gurgaon unit. On an average, the 1981-incorporated firm’s Manesar plant produces about 1,200 units of Swift, A-Star and SX4 cars every day. MSIL’s loss since the start of the labour unrest has been estimated to be at about 10,260 units, valued at over Rs 510 crore.

Yesterday, Suzuki met Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi regarding the setting up of MSIL’s third manufacturing facility in the western Indian state.