Maruti plant lockout to continue; AITUC hints at shutdown

In an interview with CNBC-TV18, VL Sachdeva, Head of AITUC said that the unfortunate incident could have been avoided if the management had shown some sensibility. Referrring to it as the 'high-handedness' of the management, Sachdeva said the union was chosen by Maruti and therefore, such a situation is really surprising.

The lockout may also continue for sometime, until the labour department intervenes, he added. Looking at the recurring troubles at this particular factory, he believes it may lead to a shutdown.

Below is the edited transcript of the interview on CNBC-TV18.

Q: Could you update us on the situation from the point of view of the workers. Will they be striking work for a definite period? What is their stance right now?

A: First of all we are worried with the unfortunate incident of violence which has taken place. The management could have resolved the small issue with great sensibility. But, unfortunately that was not done and the whole thing turned violent and some workers as well as management executives got injured.

It is reported that one of the executives has also been charred to death, which is quite unfortunate because this incident of unrest has been going on for the last one year in Maruti's factory. This is the fourth incident. We are surprised because this time the management had a union of their own choice. The union was registered with the consent of the management and we all thought that maybe good relations are going on between the management and union.

But yesterday's incident has shown the high-handedness of Maruti management, to dictate terms on the workers. That is quite unfortunate because it is not going to restore peace. Now, the factory is closed and more than 80 workers have been arrested. Workers as well as executives are admitted in the hospital.

It will take quite a long time to bring about normalcy. Now the labour department should intervene effectively to bring about peace so that normalcy returns and production starts.