After hard-bargaining and in the intervention of the Haryana Government, the strike of the Maruti workers has been called off after 14 days. The Maruti Managemnt has been compelled to take back all the 1200 casual workers. It will reinstate 64 of the regular workers. About the balance 34 workers including the leaders, enquiry will be conducted. There will be no pay for the strike period plus one day penalty.
The Maruti Workers have to be congratulated for their heroic struggle against all odds against the MNC Suzuki-Maruti and compelling them to a settlement. The management has been adamant and with the support of the Haryana government has been victimising the workers for having formed a union of their own choice at the Manesar plant. The workers were moved out of the plant by the police but they stood their ground and sat outside the factory all these days 24 hours of the day. It was a grim fight and the management was compelled to come for talks and agreement. A lot of anti-worker acts of the management came in to light like only 7 minutes time for tea-break, unjustified pay cuts etc. The agreement also provides for forming of a Grievance Redressal Committee and a Labour Welfare Committee. It is also understood that the chance of recognising the Maruti Suzuki Employees Union, formed by the workers of the Manesar plant.
The support given by the workers of other plants of the Suzuki nearby is an inspiring examples of the solidarity of workers which helped in bringing a settlement.
Full details are yet to be known, but the strike is historic in more than one ways and stands as a warning to the employers who have started to exploit the workers waiving all labour laws.
Many issues are yet to be settled, but that is part of any such agreement.
My Hearty congratulations to the Maruti Workers!