Strike at Suzuki Powertrain affects Maruti Suzuki's production

Maruti Suzuki India on Monday said the production at its plant in Gurgaon has been impacted due to strike at Suzuki Powertrain India Ltd (SPIL), which supplies engines to MSI.

The production loss is estimated to be around 1,000 vehicles a day at the plant due to the ongoing labour unrest.

"Supply of diesel engines and also transmissions from Suzuki Powertrain India Limited (SPIL) has stopped. As a result, the company's (MSI) Gurgaon plant is likely to produce around 1,800 vehicles today (against the normal 2,800 units)," MSI said in a statement.

On law and order situation at its Manesar plant, MSI said: "The plant (in Manesar) is effectively captive in the hands of striking workers who are bent upon violence."

They have indulged in random acts of violence like beating up company managers, supervisors and those co-workers who are not supporting the strike, the statement alleged.

"They have also damaged equipment

and property. In the situation, production remains at a standstill in the plant," it added.

On Sunday, MSI had dismissed 10 workers, terminated five trainees and suspended 10 employees in connection "with the strike and violence at the Manesar factory premises".

Workers at the Manesar plant went on stay-in strike on Friday afternoon affecting production.

The total number of workers who went on the stay-in strike inside the Manesar plant was around 2,000. This included all categories like regular, contractual, apprentices and trainees.

"The illegal strike by the workers, and the violence, violate the agreement signed by the workers with the company management on October 1, in the presence of the Haryana government," MSI alleged. Meanwhile, workers' strike at Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt Ltd (SMIPL) continued.

Workers at SMIPL are on strike in support of agitating colleagues at MSI's Manesar factory.

"The strike at SMIPL continues and no production is taking place," Suzuki Motorcycle India Employees Union President Anil Kumar said.