Workers' leaders at Maruti released, other firms take stock

Three leaders of agitating workers at the Maruti Suzuki's Manesar plant, arrested on Sunday, were released today, even as industry leaders from the area went into a huddle to discuss ways how to prevent labour trouble from spreading in the automobile hub.

The leaders of the unrecognised Maruti Suzuki Employees' Union were released on bail, their counsel Rajender Pathak said here.

Worried over the impact of over three-week unrest at the Maruti Suzuki India's (MSI) Manesar plant, functionaries of major firms held a meeting yesterday to consider ways how to avoid a similar situation in their units.

MSI Chairman RC Bhargava was beleived to be at the meeting, which was also attended by Bony Polymers Managing Director Raj Bhatia, JBM Chairman SK Arya, NK Minda, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Senior Vice President (HR) Harbhajan Singh and Rico Auto Head (HR) Surinder Singh among others.

"The industry is little worried about the situation. People involved with the auto industry are concerned as the labour unrest may affect their units as well," a source said.

The MSI management and workers have been locked in a stand-off since August 29, when the management prevented workers from entering the factory premises unless they signed a 'good conduct' bond. The management had alleged sabotage and deliberate compromise on the quality of cars being produced.

Meanwhile, Munjal Showa Managing Director Yogesh Munjal told PTI: "The labour issue at MSI's Manesar plant obviously has dented the image of Haryana. There is pressure on neighbouring companies, which is not good for the industry.

"With the support from Haryana government,industry in the Gurgaon-Manesar belt always provides better salary packages and facilities to their workers."

Production at Munjal Showa's Manesar plant was affected last week when the workers went on a strike demanding regularisation of casual employees. It was called off with the management agreeing to regularise trainee workers, who have completed five years at the unit.

Meanwhile, MSI said in a statement that the production of its hatchback Swift has reached to normal levels and about 1,100 people are working on the production line at the two Manesar plants.

"Maruti Suzuki made 620 Swift cars at the Manesar and Gurgaon plants today. The company had manufactured 600 Swift cars on Monday," it added.

The company had yesterday asked 350 trainees to resume duties within the next three days after talks brokered by the Haryana government to end the stand-off had failed.