Employees of Indian Automaker Maruti on Indefinite Strike

Asia Pulse, Thursday 21 September 2000, 6:08 AM

NEW DELHI, Sept 21 Asia Pulse - Employees of Maruti Udyog Ltd (MUL), the country's largest car maker, went on an indefinite strike Wednesday, demanding among other things, revision of incentive scheme and implementation of pension scheme.

"We will explore all avenues of settlement. However, if they fall through, we will intensify the strike by going in for a tool-down and even indefinite closure of the plant," General Secretary of MUL Employees Union Mathew Abraham told reporters here.

MUL had already suspended vehicle production for two days from September 19 attributing it to high inventory level.

He said the management had asked for a meeting with the union on September 23 only on the precondition that the employees withdraw their agitation. "Managing Director Jagdish Khattar has sent a message that he wants to talk today and we may meet him," Abraham added.

MUL officials were not available for their comments.

Demanding the reinstation of the Union President Dinesh Kumar and another executive member, suspended on August 15 on grounds of indiscipline, he said "we are open for unconditional talks, but in case the management does not listen we will go in for affiliation with other national trade unions like INTUC or CITU".

(PTI) r