Maruti Strike to spread in neighboring Industries

Latest updates in Maruti Suzuki plant strike suggests that the fire of trouble is about to spread to neighboring cars and accessory suppliers in the Manesar-Gurgaon region. It is worth mentioning that more than half of cars and bikes in India are manufactured in Manesar area.According to sources, Maruti workers are insisting for a new worker’s union and the whole issue is getting a kind concern from workers in neighboring units such as India’s largest motorcycle manufacturer Hero Honda, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter (HMSI), car accessory suppliers like Rico Auto, Omaxe Auto, and Lumax Industries . Sources further added that workers in these companies are giving thoughts to strike work against their respective companies.

HMSI employees Union's secretary, Bhagwan Malik said that their union is going to call a one-day token strike against the inconclusive Maruti management. However, President of Rico Auto's workers union at the Daruhera plant, near Manesar said that they will wait before the final call. He further added that if demands of workers at Maruti Suzuki plant are not fulfilled, then they will also call strike in Rico auto plant.

It is worth mentioning that 85% workers currently employed by Maruti Suzuki are on contract basis. The head count of contract workers is 3,000 and they work on the pay scale of Rs 6,000-7000 month. Maruti Suzuki's HR head, SY Siddiqui said that Maruti India is paying huge sum of money to contractors from whom labors are sourced. He further added that only 45 percent of workforce is on contractual basis.

One of the contract labors, Dharminder said that he is working with company from past two years and attach bumpers and other accessories on Maruti cars. With current salary of Rs. 6,400 per month, he said that condition has not been improved for a long time now. He further added that due to drawbacks in labor laws, they are under paid, even after working hard.