Maruti contract labour goes on strike

Maruti Udyog Limited 900-odd contract workers went on strike on Thursday demanding better working atmosphere and wage benefits even as the company resumed normal three-shift production.

The contract workers sat on a protest outside the company's Gurgaon plant demanding greater benefits from the management, sources said.

This flash strike by the contract workers has intensified the industrial unrest at the country's largest carmaker. However, Maruti Udyog Employees Union dissociated itself from the strike, saying, "The strike by contract workers is not connected with our demand and our agitation. They have started a separate protest strike of their own.''

MUL managing director Jagdish Khattar, when contacted, said that the production has resumed as normal. "We are back on track with three shifts a day. The two days of production suspension was an exercise to clear stock build-up.''

Regarding the fresh offensive from the contract workers, Khattar said negotiations are on for settlement of all issues.

The contract labourers have been working at low salaries of Rs 50 per day without benefits such as provident fund, canteen and uniform. ''We want a better working atmosphere and better treatment for us,'' the contract workers said.

Meanwhile, the Maruti Udyog Employees Union also continued with its agitation and slogan shouting outside the factory before resuming work this morning.

Emphasising that the union's agitation will not be withdrawn till a settlement is reached with the management, MUEU treasurer G K Walia said. He said that the union members will go on an indefinite strike if the demands are not met.

"The management has convened a meeting with the union on September 23. We will be meeting them and continuing with our work. But the agitation will continue. In fact, we will only strengthen it with time.''

UNI

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