Toyota India unit locks out workers at two plants as pay dispute drags

Tokyo: Toyota Motor Corp's Indian unit has declared a lockout of its workers at two car plants, after strained salary negotiations spurred workers to stop production lines.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) in a statement said that it has locked out workers at the plants near Bangalore since Sunday.

'Over the past 25 days, some workers have stopped production lines and disrupted business as the management, labour union and local government failed to reach an agreement over salaries,' added TKM .

Naoki Sumino,Tokyo-based Toyota Motor spokesman said, 'The unit and union will continue holding talks to resolve the issue.'

'If operations are suspended,it would result in a production loss of 700 vehicles a day,' highlighted Sumino.

"The company is left with no other option but to declare a lockout of the premises to ensure the safety of its workers and management personnel," concluded TKM.