Maruti's strike to end soon, agreement being drafted: CPI

CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta on Thursday said a settlement was in sight to the 13-day strike by the workers of Maruti Suzuki India amid hectic negotiations. "I have spoken to Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda several times and finally an agreement is being drafted," the CPI MP told PTI.

Maruti strike: Normalcy may be restored soon, says AITUC

As per the agreement, which is being worked out, all 11 sacked employees are likely to be reinstated and there will be no reference to the management's decision of not allowing trade union activities at the plant, Dasgupta claimed. However, the workers will go on a mass hunger strike on June 17 and a two-hour tool-down strike on June 20, he said.

Workers in about 65 factories in the Gurgaon-Manesar industrial belt have decided to 'work empty stomach' on June 17 and hold a two-hour tool-down strike on June 20 from 11 am to 1 pm to support the striking employees of Maruti. Dasgupta, who is also the AITUC General Secretary, said so far there has been no incident of violence and the workers have been "united, responsible and patient, which is remarkable".

"We also congratulate all trade unions of Gurgaon-Manesar area who rallied behind the agitating Maruti workers at the Manesar plant," he added. On June 4, workers went on a strike demanding recognition of a new union, Maruti Suzuki Employees Union (MSEU), formed by those working at the Manesar plant, among other things. While a company spokesperson said only about 600 people are on strike, MSEU General Secretary Shiv Kumar claimed at least 2,000 workers are on the sit-in stir at the plant.

Cracking the whip, the company fired 11 workers last week for allegedly inciting others to go on strike.