Rico Auto workers strike turns violent, mgmt blinks

The labour strike in the Haryana industrial belt has taken a turn for the worse. The protests by workers' unions in the Gurgaon-Manesar-Bawal belt turned violent today even as the police imposed Section 144 of the CrPC, which prohibits gathering of more than five people. CNBC-TV18 Pranshu Sikka reports.

On Tuesday morning, workers from Rico Auto embarked on a strike and were later joined by workers from other companies like Hero Honda, Honda, Suzuki etc.

Rico Auto workers have been on a strike after an employee was killed by unidentified people on October 18. The workers marched to the Rico Auto premises and staged a dharna amid heavy police presence.

The workers allege the police and some unidentified men, acting at the behest of Rico Auto's management, launched an unprovoked attack which resulted in one death and left another 30 workers injured.

In a clear show of solidarity, workers of the other auto companies joined Rico Auto workers and added that issues if the issue was not resolved quickly, they would resort to further strikes.

A meeting between the union heads and the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) was underway at the time of reporting.

Rico has said that production was badly hit and it would have to completely stop supply to clients like Hero Honda, Honda Motors, Maruti Suzuki.

Though the case is in Labour Court, Rico said it was open to an out-of-court settlement and was willing to talk to the labourers.