Labour department officials today said the process of recognising a workers' union at the Tata plant (a key demand of the striking workers) is on its way, and is expected to be completed within a month or so from now.
Senior government officials sounded hopeful of resolving the issue within a week or so.
M S Patel, assistant labour commissioner of Ahmedabad confirmed that the state government had indeed expedited the process of recognising a workers' union at the Tata Motors plant. "It should be ideally completed within 30 days or so," Patel said.
Around 384 workers including around 12 trade union leaders were detained by the police here today as they were staging a protest outside the Ahmedabad district Collector's office. They were later released.
Umesh Rathod, a Tata Motors worker informed that while they had sought permission to hold a demonstration outside the Collector's office from the police on March 10, the request was turned down and they were not given permission.
The situation, however, did not heat up even as workers were detained by the police. Shouts of 'Inquilab Zindabaad' filled up the air.
As for the formation of the labour union, it has been learnt that the company has requested that it be an internal union without representation from outside political parties as such. Patel said that so far the union comprises workers of the Tata Motors plant, however, if the workers want to seek outside support, it would be within their legal rights.
The company remained firm on its stand that all workmen other than those suspended can resume work, A Tata Motors spokesperson said, "As mentioned before, all workmen other than those suspended on charges of indiscipline, can resume duty. We today informed the District Collector Ahmedabad regarding our intent to complete the enquiry of the 26 suspended workmen with utmost speed, within six months subject to no delays by any party during the enquiry. Moreover, the enquiry will be conducted in all fairness by an independent enquiry agency in due compliances to rules and processes. It is in the interest of business to complete the enquiries at the earliest possible while adhering to the principles of natural justice and take appropriate action based on the outcome of the enquiries."
Ashim Roy, vice president, National Trade Union Initiative and advisor to the striking workers at Tata Motors said that around 384 people were detained today including 12 trade union leaders.
"We are thinking of holding a dharna outside the Tata Motors plant at Sanand during this week, however, we are yet to decide on the date. It could be on coming Saturday," he said adding that the discussions with the state government have been positive so far.
Rajkumar Beniwal, the district Collector of Ahmedabad too sounded upbeat on resolving the issue soon. "We have told both parties to follow rules and regulations, and we are trying to bridge the communication gap between the workers and the management and bring them on the same platform," he said.
Beniwal felt that the issue is unlikely to flare up beyond control.
Last Saturday, around 22 trade unions across the state had pledged support to the striking workers of Tata Motors alleging that the company had taken punitive action against those who were leading the workers to form a workmen's union at the site. Trade Union leaders including Roy had threatened a state-wide civil disobedience movement if the democratic rights of workers were compromised.
