Chennai: Close to 4,000 workers of three automobile manufacturers have been on strike for several days, demanding timely increments, better wages and welfare unions.
Workers of Yamaha India, Myoung Shin Automotive India Pvt Ltd and Royal Enfield, three large automobile manufacturers have been on strike since early September demanding that their managements fulfil a set of requirements. About 700 employees of Yamaha India have been on strike at the Yamaha plant in Oragadam since September 20 after two employees were fired by the company on September 20. The employees say that no reason was cited for their firing. The two employees attempted to form workers unions and the company did not like this, they allege.
The workers also alleged that the Sriperumbudur's assistant commissioner of labour called Yamaha's management for talks four times since September 20, but the management did not appear for any negotiations with workers.
Around 140 workers of Myoung Shin Automotive India Pvt Ltd (MSI), an automotive component maker, have also been on strike inside the factory premises for the last 20 days, demanding increment as stipulated by law.
Meanwhile, workers in the Royal Enfield plant in Oragadam are on strike since September 24. They allege that they are only demanding wages according to the Payment of Bonus Act. There was no response from the company on the same. The employees even gave the management a notice on an upcoming strike but the company paid no heed, they say.
On Tuesday, Royal Enfield issued a statement, stating that they hope to arrive at a mutually beneficial decision on the issues highlighted by the workers. The other two companies have not responded yet.
