Bosch Declares Lockout at Jaipur Plant

Over the ongoing worker unrest, auto component manufacturer Bosch has declared lockout at its Jaipur plant. Last month, on the account of wage settlement, the plant was shut down for a day by the labour union. The automaker declared the lockout after the worker union proceeded on an “illegal go-slow" action since March 19, 2015 which resulted in reducing output by up to 70 per cent.

In the filing to the BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange), Bosch said, “The company's management has taken a considered decision in declaring a lockout against the labour union and workmen of the company's Jaipur plant indulging in a go-slow action, effective April 5."

Bosch also said that the union has been on an illegal hunger strike since April 2, 2015. The auto part maker also added that it does not expect an immediate impact on the deliveries of components because of available stocks as well as production from its officers who are trained to work in production.

In the issued public statement, the Bosch said, "The company's management has reached this decision after careful examination, keeping in mind the safety of its employees, the interests of its customers and the overall impact, such a severe go-slow would have on the Indian automotive industry,"

Bosch Jaipur plant manufactures auto components such as fuel injector pumps and distributor pumps (VE pumps).

Moreover, the company said that the wage settlement negotiations for the period June 2013-May 2017 have been going for more than 20 months, including intense conciliation meetings supported by the joint labour commissioner-cum-conciliation officer of Jaipur region.

The company has a history of labour issues at its two plants in Jaipur and Bangalore. Last year also, workers in Bangalore plant had stalled work for over three months over wage settlement.

Source: PTI