Maruti workers prepared to do overtime, work on Sunday
18 Jun 2011
As workers at the Manesar plant of Maruti Suzuki resumed operations today after a 13-day strike, they said they are prepared to work overtime to make up for the production loss, provided they are suitably compensated.
D L Sachdev, national secretary of All India Trade Unions Congress (AITUC) which had supported the strike from outside, also said the workers would work overtime if the company adequately compensates them.
''There has been massive loss of production and the workers are aware of this. Hence they are willing to work overtime and make up as much as possible for the loss in production. But as per law, the company must pay for overtime,'' he said.
Sachedev, who also participated in the hectic negotiations on Thursday evening that lasted almost eight hours, said the workers were satisfied with the agreement.
A Maruti spokesman said the plant will also operate on Sunday to make up for the loss of production.
According to latest reports, the company's revenue losses due to the strike mounted to Rs600 crore, with a production loss of over 13,200 cars. "We will resume production on Saturday and all 11 sacked workers have been taken back - that would be followed by an internal inquiry to be done by the company for a disciplinary action," said a senior executive of Maruti Suzuki.
Meanwhile, reports say the lengthened waiting period for a Maruti car has not affected demand, nor has there been a rush for other companies' models available off the shelf, as some had anticipated.
The waiting period could get even longer before it gets shorter, as the company's Gurgaon plant will soon have to be shut for eight days for routine maintenance. The same will be required at Manesar as well, but the date has not been decided due to the strike.
