Price of strike? Rs 119.95-cr loss in production!

Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya said the effort of the government is to use conciliation to settle disputes.

A total of 89 strikes were reported in various industrial complexes in the country this year, leading to loss of 11,67,987 man days and a production loss of Rs 119.95 crore (Rs 1.19 billion).

Similarly, 16 lockouts were reported this year, leading to loss of 6,20,626 man days and production loss of Rs 14.95 crore (Rs 149.5 million), the Lok Sabha was informed on Monday.

Giving the information, Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya said the effort of the government is to use conciliation to settle disputes.

He said the ministry holds consultations with central trade union organisations on major policy issues and their demands for harmonious industrial relations.

The minister said Industrial Disputes Act provides for constituting different authorities to ensure harmonious industrial relations and prevent strikes and lockouts.

The awards, he said, passed by industrial tribunals are binding on employers and employees or workmen.

Responding to a question on closure of Nokia's plant in Tamil Nadu, he said it was a because of certain tax liabilities and ‘action of others’ like Microsoft.

The minister said the closure has directly affected 6,600 people, while 10,000 others indirectly associated with it have also been affected.

Representative image. Photograph: Reuters