Suzuki Motor Corporation Chairman Osamu Suzuki has rejected an appeal by the Gurgaon unit of the Maruti Udyog Kamgar Union to reinstate the 500 workers who were sacked by Maruti Suzuki's management for their alleged involvement in the violence at the company's Manesar plant on July 18, which left one dead and several injured. The facility was locked out for about a month.
Suzuki, who arrived in India yesterday on a weeklong visit, told union representatives this was a one-off incident, and if the sacked workers were reinstated, it would again lead to similar problems. He added it was impossible for others to work with people involved in the violence.
Maruti Udyog Kamgar Union leaders suggested Suzuki could deduct salaries of the striking workers or even suspend them for a month or two, a suggestion which did
Kuldeep Jhajha, general secretary of the union, who, along with fourteen other workers, met Suzuki, and argued a crowd couldn't be held responsible for the actions of a few.
Suzuki agreed, but added this only endorsed the decision taken by the company to sack 500 workers. He told managers there was a need for stringent action, as it was not a battle between unions and the management, but an act of criminality.
Various unions are, however, planning to take legal action against the sacking of the employees. They have also been protesting in front of Parliament against the move of the company's management.
Today, Suzuki visited the company's Gurgaon plant, amidst police protection. He was accompanied by Maruti Suzuki India Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Shinzo Nakanishi. Company officials said Suzuki would skip a visit to the troubled Manesar plant.
