Maruti Suzuki calls for eviction of 1,500 striking workers

Maruti Suzuki has called for eviction of 1,500 striking workers by the state government. The workers had allegedly taken control of one of Maruti's plants amid allegations of sabotage and violence.

According to the Japanese-controlled company, which sells almost half the cars that roll out from India, the workers had been inside its Manesar facility in northern Haryana state since Friday.

Tensions that have been running high for months with work stoppages having already cost the company at least Rs1,100 crore in lost output.

AFP quoted an unnamed company spokesman as saying that the workers were keeping the facility under siege and it was a "law and order problem." The spokesperson said, the company wanted the state government to direct the eviction of the workers.

The 54-per cent Suzuki Motor Corp-owned Maruti Suzuki is critical to Suzuki's fortunes as India is the Japanese company's biggest overseas market. It produces the Swift, A-Star hatchbacks and the SX4 sedan at the troubled facility, which employs 2,000 workers.