AAP to Lead Hunger Strike by Renault-Nissan Workers

Labour trouble seems to be brewing at Renault Nissan Automotive India Pvt Ltd (RNAIL) plant here with around 200 former trainees employed at the factory Friday deciding to go on hunger strike, led by Aam Admi Party (AAP).

"Several apprentice trainees who had been sent out by Renault Nissan plant here approached us to take up their issue. The company has been sending out hundreds of apprentices after two or three years," AAP leader M.S.Chandramohan told IANS.

He said the company had promised them permanent employment at the time of hiring them as trainees.

"This month itself the company had sent out around 200 people. Asked the reason why we were being sent out the company gave three different reasons viz poor performance by the trainees, poor market or raising the issue of termination jointly," K.Selvakumar, one of these trainees, told IANS.

He said at the time joining a trainee would get around Rs.6,500 per month and in the second year, his pay would go up further.

The RNAIL plant near here is part of the Renault-Nissan alliance. The plant rolls out Renault and Nissan cars.

According to Chandramohan, AAP is not consciously moving towards establishing itself amongst the factory workers unlike other parties.

"The affected workers came to us and hence we are taking up the issue," he said, alleging the company is sending out experienced apprentice trainees to cut cost and hires new ones at a lower rate.

According to Selvakumar, the RNAIL plant has around 8,000 workers that includes permanent/contract/apprentice trainees.

Company officials were not available for comments.